TRIP REPORTS

Well, once again, the high desert of central Oregon did not disappoint. The weather was beyond amazing, the participants were eager to explore and the terrain was timelessly captured for our enjoyment and we essentially lived in a three dimensional geology lesson for three days. Absolutely stunning.

Most of our participants gathered at Tumalo State Campground, North of Bend, OR. Due to some work obligations, I was unable to depart for Bend until Friday AM. So I suggested we all met at Fort Rock. I finally arrived around 4:30 PM. The weary travelers, spending most of the afternoon exploring Bend and Sun Valley, were eager to get on the trail and make camp. So, that's what we did. We departed Fort Rock and headed North on Cabin Lake Road. A road that parallels Fort Rock that goes North-South. We drove about 5-6 miles before we reached the dispersed camping area.

Home for the night...

We had to divert North and around some private property in order to access the cave. Even though this is mainly BLM and DNR public land, property owners have the right to keep their gates closed and locked unless you contact the property owners in advance to allow access the passage. Why do you even want to cross the private property? Well, it is a shorter route. So if you have other destinations or waypoints you want to hit in the area, it does make sense to call ahead. Calling ahead? good question. I will research that one.

All in All, we had an AMAZING commute from Cabin Lake Campground to Derrick Cave.

Stay Tuned for Episode 2, Where we dismount the vehicles and make our way into the cave!

Until then, thanks to all of our participants on this trip. Everyone was amazing.

Great attitudes and a very spirited crew!!

Dan