Metolius Preserve - Larch Loop
Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 75 feet.
The Metolius Preserve is a 1,200 acre chunk of land owned by the Deschutes Land Trust and located within the Deschutes National Forest along Lake Creek. The preserve is home to a rich forest of Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, and Western Larch. And it is the Larch that really steal the show, especially in the autumn months when their needles turn golden. There are three different loops within the Preserve, the Pine Trails, Fir Trails, and Larch Trails. But the highlight of the Preserve is the Larch Loop.
Start your hike from the North Trailhea and head south out of the parking area Follow the trail for a quarter mile into the forest until you reach a junction. Head left over a bridge of the North Fork of Lake Creek and then it is just a short jaunt to the bigger larch loop. Make another left and enjoy the show.
The Larch Trails make a big loop with the Middle Fork of Lake Creek traveling through the middle of it. The larch are magnificent here in the fall, the trees large and small all along the trail. After 1.5 miles you will reach the southwestern junction of the loop. Make a right and cross over a culvert that crosses the Middle Fork. In 3/4 of a mile, make a left and head back towards the Northern Trailhead. If you are rearing for some extra mileage, you can always complete the Grand Tour and hit all the trails in the Metolius Preserve.
Directions
To reach the North Trailhead of the Metolius Preserve, head 12 miles northwest of Sisters on Highway 20 until you see the sign for Mt Jefferson Wilderness Trailhead. Make the right onto Jack Lake Road. Follow this road for a mile and after crossing a bridge over Lake Creek, make a right on the gravel 1216 Forest Road. This is a two lane gravel road and most vehicles should have no problem on it. Follow this for 1.8 miles and when you see the signs for the Metolius Preserve, make the left and follow the road for a quarter mile to the parking area.
Things to Know
Passes:No passes or permits are required
Dogs: Allowed but must be on a leash.
Usage: Light.
Leaves: Larch will usually be changing from Late October through Early Novemeber..
Open Season: The area can be accessible year round, depending on snow. The Jack Lake road will oftentimes be blocked by plowing along Highway 20 during the winter, but the trailhead may still be accessible from the Camp Sherman side.
