The sweet but spicy smell of sage and the high desert struck my senses and immediately told me that summer was indeed on its way. 

This olfactory hit along with the amazing color that lay at my feet off an otherwise dusty trail at Rimrock Springs (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ochoco/recreation/recarea/?recid=39150&actid=62) earlier this month solidified the feeling that we had finally climbed out of our winter shroud and could fully embrace the sunny days that were hopefully here to stay — let’s just hope I didn’t jinx it. 

The short and easy trail along U.S. Highway 26 about 10 miles south of Madras doesn’t look like much when you’re zooming past in your car – just another pull-out in a swath of sagebrush and juniper trees. Mostly it seems the wayside is a spot for travelers to stop and let their dogs do their business before hitting the road again without ever leaving the parking area. 

But just off the road lay a place that is quite different than what you’d expect.

Birds in the Grasslands

In the spring and early summer, Rimrock Springs Trail, part of the larger Rimrock Springs Natural Area of the Crooked River National Grassland (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ochoco/recarea/?recid=38274), is bursting with life, and thanks to the wet, extended winter weather, the trail seems poised to present some remarkable sights this season with butterflies and bumblebees fluttering around early blooms to the many migratory and resident birds that make their homes here, if even temporarily.

The main, accessible paved trunk of the trail features interpretive signs in both English and Spanish for visitors to learn a little about the area before them, but many have seen better days with several of them having been bleached in the sun. 

This part of the trail is ADA accessible making it a great stroll for those with mobility restrictions or anyone who just wants something on the easy side with a paved and mostly flat first half-mile that can be made an out-and-back trek. 

This short path leads to an observation deck (also in need of a few small repairs as some of the wood is beginning to rot, so watch your footing) that gives hikers a view of the wetlands, created by an earthen dam at the natural springs. Here, you can embrace the stillness and when you do, you may begin to hear several birdsongs coming from below.

On my recent trip, my birding app (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) recognized several species including red-winged and brewer’s blackbirds, American goldfinches and American robins. 

My eyes, on the other hand, even without having the aid of binoculars, spotted even more feathered friends floating and flying through the grasses and rushes including cinnamon teals, Canada geese, red-tailed hawks, northern Harrier hawks and my least favorite of all waterfowl, the American coot.

For those wanting a bit more of a walk, beyond the pavement on the upper section of the trail, is a second viewing platform that gives another opportunity to check out the birdlife that can be seen in the wetland and soaring above it. 

Further up the loop leads to great views of the Cascades and towering buttes. The total loop, should you choose to do it all is only a little under a mile-and-a-half with very gradual elevation gain.

But if your neck begins to feel the strain of looking up, try looking down when you’re back on the trail because right now it too is teaming with life.

Desert blooms

I try and make it out to Rimrock Springs every couple of years, it’s a great short hike in the winter thanks to the little shade that prevents snow from lingering too long and while in the summer it can be scorching (note: there is no water at the trailhead and no bathrooms either), it can also get nice breezes when you just need a quick and easy outing. But the spring might be the best time to visit because of all the life that (aptly) springs back (https://wildflowersearch.org/search?oldstate=elev%3A3097%3Bgms%3A15%3Bgmc%3A44.496%2C-121.056%3Bbloom%3AIgnore%3Blocation%3AFWWV%2BFM+Culver%2C+OR%2C+USA&buttonName=none&hab=&Elev=&PlantName=).

On my recent, Mother’s Day wander with my mom, Jeannie, we were stoked to see the abundance of purple phlox and yellow buckwheat covering the sandy soils along with the greening of the sage and bitterbrush surrounding it with the western juniper dotted along the trail weighed down by berries. 

The trail leads to a rocky overlook and a bench where you can take in a perfect vista of the Cascades, but while the view of the mountains is quite something, be sure to mind your feet or else you may step on the beautiful bitterroot that makes its purple-pink home close to the earth.

By the time this article comes out the trail will be even more full of color as the lupin should be blooming along with many more plants that were on the verge of emerging a few weeks ago.

Rocks and springs

Rimrock Springs may not be a vigorous hike, or seem impressive beyond the view but take your time on this short wonder to appreciate your surroundings popping up for the season or nestling down in the wetlands beyond. 

Take a moment to bask in the sun and in the view of the mountains at the top of the hike and admire the rock beneath you as you sit on the edge of the Crooked River Caldera (https://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/news/blog/2021-blog-posts/blast-from-our-past-crooked-river-caldera) which lay south of here. 

To borrow lyrics from the band America, there are plants and birds and rocks and things, and every one of them is worth seeing this spring.