Deschutes River Trail - Awbrey Reach with Archie Briggs Loop

Distance: 5.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 400 feet.

The Awbrey Reach of the Deschutes River Trail is a beautiful section of trail located high above the Deschutes River in Bend. While this section of trail is not right along the banks of the river like so many other sections of the trail, so of the views offered are breathtaking. Plus, you can throw in a little lollipop loop at the end in the Archie Briggs Natural Area is had a little variety to your hike.

This section of trail begins at Sawyer Park. There isn’t a ton of parking here so finding a spot can be challenging at times. This park sits right along the Deschutes, with some cool cliffs right out of the parking area. Head over the bridge and then turn to your right, down river.

The trail heads along the banks of the Deschutes for a minute before turning uphill and away from the river. You will head by a large grassy area and then will hit the Deschutes River Trail about ¼ mile from the parking area. Make a right and begin following the large, graveled path. This section of the trail sits on top of a now piped and buried Tumalo Irrigation District Canal. You may notice the occasional large candy cane type structures popping out of the ground. Canal air vents. The more you know….

The trail heads north and stays a good 75 feet or so above the river for a while. The views aren’t great here with trees blocking the river most the time and a steep hillside to your left. The path is nice and level though, so walking is a breeze. After traipsing along the trail for about half a mile, you will reach Archie Briggs Road. Feel free to cross it and keep on going.

Once you’ve crossed the road, the trail will begin to curve around a point in the hillside and the river will disappear to your left. While it is doing this, however, it is getting fairly steep, and will drop around 100 feet lower than it was before you see it again. So round the corner and prepare to see some breathtaking views as the mountains pop up over the canyon and the river rumbles away deep below you.

At the 1.6 mile mark, you will reach the Archie Briggs Canyon Natural Area. Make a left here and head up the nice, quite forested draw. The trail transitions to a dirt single track here and it is fairly rocky. This area is quite shaded so it can hold snow longer than the rest of the trail and remain muddy during the shoulder season. The area is covered in nice bunchgrasses and shaded with a pretty Ponderosa Pine Forest. It will almost make you forget that you are marching up 200 feet in a little over a quarter mile.

Once you reach Mt Washington, cross it and then make a right and head down the sidewalk. Follow the road as it curves to the left for another quarter mile and watch for another trail heading downhill to your right. Follow this wide, gravel path as it heads back down the hill towards the Deschutes River Trail.

Four tenths of a mile after leaving Mt Washington, you will once again join the Deschutes River Trail. If you really want to complete all the trail, you could head left and march to the end of the trail in the Awbrey Glen neighborhood. There’s nothing really that way to make it worth while though, so head right. It’s a little less than a mile back to the junction with the Archie Briggs Trail. Then just march back the way you came and maybe take a quick dip in the river to cool yourself off at Sawyer Park. Its your call.

Directions

To reach Sawyer Park, head west on O.B. Riley Road off of NE 3rd St near the Shilo Inn. Head about half a mile down the road and watch for the park entrance on your left, pretty much right across from Z21.

Things to Know

Passes: No passes are required.

Dogs: Allowed and must be on a leash.

Usage: Moderate

Open Season: Open and accessible all year. The trail may be covered in snow or will be muddy or icy at times in the winter. You will also encounter more mixed users, like mountain bikers and runners.