Boots and Boats in Bend: A Women's Multisport Adventure in Central Oregon

The Trip

Join a long tradition of women in the wilderness as we celebrate 40 years of Sierra Club women’s trips.

Bend’s unique setting and endless recreational opportunities make it one of the top adventure destinations in the country. Our activities center around the Wild and Scenic Upper Deschutes River and the Cascade Mountains that make up this high desert oasis. We’ve put together our favorite activities to create one amazing week of fun that we wish to share with other adventurous women. Half the trip will be hiking in ‘boots’ and the other half paddling in ‘boats.’ This is “summer camp” for grown-ups, only with better food, comfortable beds, and hot showers!

Our boots will take us hiking through some incredibly varied volcanic landscapes. Stunning waterfalls, created by resistant volcanic rock and ancient pine tree molds, formed by powerful rivers of lava, are just a few of the treasures that await. Although Bend is located in the high desert, opportunities for boating are plentiful. Our boats will be varied, as we will be stand-up paddling, flat-water kayaking, and rafting on both the Deschutes River and one of the Cascade Lakes. 

Experience stand-up paddling and/or flatwater kayaking during two of our days together. On the first day, there will be instruction and touring on a lake, and on the second day, we will take our skills to a flatwater section of the Wild and Scenic Deschutes River. Highlights of hiking together include a trail of waterfalls one day and the fascinating volcanic landscapes another. During the week we will also have a chance to discover the rich culture of Central Oregon during a visit to the High Desert Museum, where we will explore exhibits about the native peoples, pioneers, ecology, and natural history of the region. Our final day’s hike begins along the Deschutes River, observing a wetland recovery project, a waterfall, and a whitewater gorge before we hit the river ourselves for some whitewater rafting excitement! A special in-town cycling activity will cap off our week of adventure! 

Along with time spent exploring, we’ll learn about how local groups are working to preserve Central Oregon’s wild places. We will also learn of the Tenino people who once lived in the rich land and waters of the Deschutes River basin. The Tenino, along with tribes from the surrounding areas, including the Wascos and Paiutes, were forced to relocate to the Warm Springs Reservation and are now represented by the Confederated Tribes of Warms Springs.

Centrally located in Bend, our comfortable lodgings will be home base for the week. Everyone will help pitch in with kitchen duties. Generally, we will pack a picnic lunch. Breakfasts and most dinners will be at our lodging, but we’ll take the opportunity to explore a favorite local restaurant as well. 

Our days will vary considerably, but there will be time for relaxing, reading, or checking out local shops. In the evenings, we’ll enjoy casual conversation, games, and a guest speaker. Daily activities are optional, but you won’t want to miss out on the fun! 

While we have a busy itinerary, this is a great trip for adventurous beginners, moms, and grown daughters, friends, or family who haven’t vacationed together in years. Or come on your own and share the fun while making new friends who share the same spirit of adventure and passion for the wilderness. Regardless of whether you come alone or with a friend or family member, you’ll feel like a kid again!

Day 1: If you’re flying in, pick-up from the Redmond airport can be arranged. We will meet in Bend late afternoon on Sunday to get acquainted, have an orientation meeting, get settled in, and take a short walk before preparing dinner.

Day 2: Stand-up paddling and kayaking in the Cascade Lakes will keep us laughing and learning on our first full day together. Everyone will get to try the kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Don’t worry if you have never tried these, as instructions and all gear will be provided. There will be plenty of time for swimming and lunch will be picnic-style on the beach.

Day 3: Touring the High Desert Museum, hiking, and exploring volcanic landscapes will be the highlights of the day.

Day 4: Today we will take our paddling expertise onto the Deschutes River to float a nine-mile stretch of moving water without rapids. Osprey, mergansers, great blue herons, and river otters may be seen along the way.

Day 5: Hiking past lava-formed waterfalls of the Cascades will be the focal point of today’s 7-mile hike.

Day 6: A short hike followed by a half-day raft trip on the Deschutes River will cool us off. Paddling this exciting stretch of river with class II-III rapids will provide views of lava flows, ponderosa forests, osprey, and more. Before our week wraps up, we’ll explore downtown with a group pedaling experience.

Day 7: It's time for everyone to pack up and enjoy one last breakfast together. Transportation to the Redmond airport will be provided.

This itinerary may be modified, depending on the weather, guest speaker availability, inclination of the group, etc.

The hiking, stand-up paddling, flatwater kayaking, and rafting activities are easy to moderate. The hikes may involve uneven, rocky terrain and moderate elevation gain. The pace can be adjusted to suit the needs of the group, whether it's spending extra time swimming in a lake, shopping downtown, or just relaxing at our comfortable lodgings.

Getting There

The trip is based in Bend, Oregon. On the first day of the trip, we will provide transportation from the airport in Redmond, Oregon to our lodge and then to all daily activities during the trip. Transportation back to the Redmond airport after the trip is also included.

By air: Redmond Regional Airport, located 16 miles from Bend.

By car: Bend is located 175 miles from Portland, 491 from San Francisco, 328 from Seattle, and 318 miles from Boise. 

Please hold off making any non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

A variety of room configurations and beds in the lodging offer flexibility to accommodate individuals, family members, or friends who are sharing in this adventure. Bathrooms will be shared. A single supplement option will be available on a first-come basis (limited availability with additional cost). 

We will make every effort possible to accommodate special dietary restrictions. Please let the leaders know of any restrictions, aversions, or allergies. Meals will generally include breakfast and dinner at the lodge, with lunch and snacks fixed "to go" each day. Participants will assist with cooking and kitchen clean-up on a rotating basis.

Trip Difficulty

Hiking, rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddling, and pedaling activities are easy to moderate, and the pace can be adjusted to suit the group. The hikes involve some elevation gain and occasionally steep, rocky trails. Each person needs to be in basic good health so we can all enjoy our hiking, paddling, and pedaling time. Participants are encouraged to walk, hike, and exercise in preparation for the trip. The stand-up paddling and flatwater kayaking include instruction and guides, on a lake and a flatwater section of the river. The Deschutes River rafting trip is a professionally guided whitewater trip and includes rapids up to Class III. Separate liability waivers are required for the water and pedaling activities.

Equipment and Clothing

Special equipment is not required for this adventure trip. Equipment for the paddling trips, including personal flotation devices (PFDs), will be provided. Water shoes that stay securely attached to your feet in the river’s current are recommended. We will be getting cooled off by water, so you will want swimwear. The weather at this time of year can be beautiful with highs from 70-90 degrees F and lows from 48-55 degrees F, with an occasional thunderstorm. A list of appropriate clothing and personal gear will be sent to all participants after acceptance on the trip.

References

• Bend, Oregon 100 years of History. Deschutes County Historical Society, 2004. A history of Bend from early homesteaders to logging to recreation.
• Cook, Scott, Bend Overall. 2010. Details of popular hikes as well as lesser-known waterfalls, swimming holes, and more.
• Joslin, Les, Legendary Locals of Bend. Legendary Locals, 2016. From the explorer John Fremont to Olympic decathlon champion, Ashton Eaton. This gem describes the people who have helped make Bend the fascinating city it has become.
• Ramsey, Jarold, New Era: Reflections on the Human and Natural History of Central Oregon. OR State University Press, 2003. Collection of essays on the human and natural history of Central Oregon and the people who struggled to homestead in the region.
• Bishop, Ellen Morris, In Search of Ancient Oregon: A Geological and Natural History. Timber Press, 2006. An expertly written discussion of the state’s geological and ecological history.
• St. John, Alan, Oregon’s Dry Side: Exploring East of the Cascade Crest. Timber Press, 2007. A description of the arid east side of the Cascades, including beautiful photographs of the geology, fauna, and flora, as well as remote outposts and the rich regional history dating back to prehistoric times.

Conservation

Originally a logging community, Bend and the Central Oregon region have become a hub for recreation and tourism, known for its beer, boating, cycling, hiking, and skiing. The year-round recreational activities and population growth have put great pressure on the surrounding natural world. During our adventure, we will have a chance to observe and discuss sustainable forest practices, controlled burning, the impact of fire, climate change, as well as effects of population growth on limited recreational resources and wildlife. We will get a chance to see a hotly debated, recently reclaimed marsh on the Deschutes River. In addition, we will learn about the work that local environmental groups and the Forest Service are doing to protect wilderness in the area. 

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.