It’s January but it feels like spring as we reach the trailhead for Central Oregon’s Metolius River. We venture to Sisters each MLK holiday weekend usually for the dry snow and endless snowshoeing trails with our dog. On this day we have complete sun and fairly dry conditions, so we travel up highway 20, head east past Camp Sherman until we hit the fish hatchery.
As soon as we open the car doors, the sound of water roaring fills our ears and we take in the view. Tall pine trees and glacial blue water. We came here because a recent trip to New Zealand made us doubly appreciate our own state – we are so lucky to have a crystal-clear river and riverside hiking within several hours of Portland – and this is just one of thousands of beautiful rivers in Central Oregon.
We head upriver, dew droplets still in tree branches, sun filtering through huge pines. In some places the river hits series of rocks, crashing over and forcing upwells on the other side. Downed trees and mini island debris create obstacles and water parts ways, then coming back together.
In sections the roar subsides and the water is coasting – slowing until the next rapids force it to pick up speed, choosing a direction at a junction of logs downstream. A recent windstorm tore bunches of fresh pine needles to the ground, fresh bright green moss from tree trunks. Drying needles from previous storms crunch softly under our feet.
Fly fishermen and women are up ahead, casting over a deep, ultra-clear turquoise pool where the water seems to just float by. The sun hits this spot perfectly and it’s like a scene from a River Runs Through it.
Appreciating the moment and feeling lucky for this day and this place, we continue on.