Hike the Cougar Woods Loop to the Big Tree in LaPine State Park.

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Distance: 3.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 150 feet.

The Cougar Trail offers you the chance to stroll along the banks of the beautiful Deschutes River and to visit what is thought to be the biggest Ponderosa Pine int the world. The trail is found in LaPine State Park, which encompasses more than 2,000 acres north of La Pine and offers numerous activates in the sub-alpine forest, such as mountain biking, horseback riding, and boating. There are also over 15 miles of hiking trails located within the park.

The main trailhead for the Cougar Woods trail is found right before you cross a bridge over the river. You will see a paved parking area to your right. Park there and head out past the kiosk and begin your romp through the woods.

The trail is relatively level and hugs the Deschutes River for the first third of a mile or so. Then, it will cut through the forest and climb a small hill on its way to the Big Tree Day Use Area. 0.6 miles from the trailhead, you will reach a summer parking are for the Big Tree. Head to the left and follow a paved trail less than a quarter mile down to the river and to the Big Tree.

The Big Tree is thought to be the largest Ponderosa Pine tree in the word. It used to also be the tallest, but have of its crown was lost to a weather event. But even now, it stands at 162 feet tall and has a circumference of almost 29 feet. It also clocks in at around 500 years old. There is a fence and protection area around the tree to prevent soil compactions from damaging its roots, but you can still get pretty close.

After leaving the tree, follow the trail to the left and up a cutbank as it heads back to the parking area. Pass by a frisbee golf course and locate the Cougar Woods Trail at the far end of the parking area. Follow the trail as it winds through the trees for the next 3/4 of a mile until it reaches the main road you drove in on. Cross over the road and keep following. The trail will curve towards the north and then head down a draw, before popping out once again on the banks of the Deschutes River.

The Cougar Woods trail follows along the Deschutes for another mile as it winds its way through a couple big meanders. Head around the day use area and enjoy the views. The river has a reverse hydrograph due to Wickiup and Crane Prairie Reservoirs upstream, which hold back the water in the winter months, and release them all in the summer. Thus, late in the summer, when you would normally expect the river to be at its lowest, it will still be raging. It is the winter months that provide the lowest flows. Before you know it, you will pop back out on the main road, right across from the trailhead.

Directions

To reach LaPine State Park, follow the signs and take State Recreation Rd west off of Highway 97, seven miles north of LaPine or seven miles south of Sunriver. Follow the road for 7.5 miles as it crosses over the Little Deschutes and enters the park. The trail head will be right off the road to your right before crossing a bridge over the Deschutes.