Pictured from left: Jessica with baby James, Jonathan and Ken Jackson.

When higher elevation hikes are taken off the map by snowfall, look to Bend’s urban trails for a nature escape closer to home. The South Canyon Reach of the Deschutes River Trail, for one, offers pedestrians (and leashed dogs) scenic river landscapes via an easy, three-mile loop that begins and ends at Farewell Bend Park in Bend.

To begin the loop, cross the footbridge at Farewell Bend Park and take a left to head upriver on a wide, flat section of trail at the foot of orange rock cliffs. After passing under Healy Bridge, the trail, flanked by ponderosa pines and rim rock, travels through a section of property owned by Mt. Bachelor Village. In between reading interpretative signs, take time out to get mesmerized by the flow of whitewater and occasional movements of waterfowl.

At approximately the halfway point, the trail crosses the South Canyon Footbridge and heads back downstream. The trail changes here, becoming rougher and narrower, but still easy enough even for children. Along the way, it runs next to a mini hydropower plant where irrigation water passes back into the river through turbines. After passing under Healy Bridge again, views of Farewell Bend Park — and city life — return.