Big Summit Prairie Wildflower Drive and Hike

3160 NE Third Street,Prineville OR 97754

21 May, 2021

Description

This will be a drive and hike trip that circumnavigates Big Summit Prairie with at least six stops to walk around and view native plants. Hike Rating:  Easy (driving 10 miles, walking 2 miles) Guide: Marilynne Keyser Big Summit Prairie occupies several thousand acres of the middle portion of the Ochoco Mountains. The prairie is privately owned, but most of the perimeter is in Ochoco National Forest and easily accessed by public roads. This will be a drive and hike trip circumnavigating the prairie (ten miles). We will make at least six stops along FS Road 42, driving in a caravan. Bring your Guide to Common Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area. Guide books will be available for purchase before the hike ($10/FANs members; or S12/non-members, payable with cash or check). A plant checklist will also be provided. We will meet at 8:00 am at the US Forest Service Building in Prineville, 3160 NE Third St. (Hwy 26) in Prineville. We will caravan from Prineville to the Ochoco Ranger Station on FS Road 42, which will be the beginning of our drive and hike around Big Summit Prairie. There are no restroom facilities on the drive. The last restroom will be at the ranger station on FS Road 42, so be prepared. Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes, dress in layers, bring water for the day and a sack lunch. Sunscreen, hat and rain gear are advisable. Bring a face mask for instances when physical distancing requires that we wear them. Group size is limited to 8 people (including guides) and pets are not allowed on this hike. If you sign up and later need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible so that people on the wait list can be invited to join this hike. Thank you! This event is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (FANs), a group founded in 2011 by landowners surrounding the Deschutes Canyon-Steelhead Falls Wilderness Study Area in Central Oregon who came together over their shared love of nearby public lands.  The focus area of FANs includes many special places such as Steelhead Falls, Alder Springs, the Peninsula, Otter Bench and Scout Camp.  Become a member by visiting our website at www.fansofdeschutes.org.  Memberships are just $10 per person per year.