Riparian Refuge

Some of us took a family hike at The Old Mill, along the Deschutes River that winds through Bend. Old Mill is the site of Shevlin-Hixon and Brooks-Scanlon lumber mills, which opened in 1916 and operated for nearly 80 years. Since they closed, the land and river have been restored, and the area is now used for recreation, shopping, dining, and entertainment. The brick buildings, with their three distinctive smoke stacks, remain as key structures of the shopping center.


A bank beaver home, overlooking the Deschutes River and The Old Mill

We took the Mill A route (the red hike) which took us north around the Les Schwab Amphitheater, by the dam near Colorado Avenue which is under construction, and south past the Old Mill. The Colorado Dam Safe Passage Project will provide a safe way for kayakers to travel up and down stream.

Colorado Dam Safe Passage Project

We passed by protected riparian areas on both sides of the bank. The marsh teamed with birds, butterflies and other signs of life. We saw a bank beaver home, but no sign of the resident.

Colorful flags

The trails are very popular with hikers, bikers, and runners, and the river is used for various water sports including kayaking. They can also be used for less ambitious activities, like a nice family stroll!