Well, the worst of it has passed, according to the forecast. Highs remain in the 90s this week, and with low humidity (they call it a dry heat) I might go out on a limb and say it’s not all that bad. I’m getting used to it, acclimated if you will. It is summer after all.

The good news is the snow line has been receding quickly, opening up access to high-country trails. The Swampy Lakes area is nearly free of all snow. Those trails and others at similar elevations should be your go-tos this weekend as the air is certainly cooler. Just bring some sunscreen.

Temperatures Saturday and Sunday are expected to reach 97 and 94 degrees Fahrenheit. Lows overnight are in the high 50s. I’d advise folks to get out on the trails early and make the most of a hot afternoon spent on or near one of our many watering holes.

Check out bendtrails.org and the BendTrails Facebook group for more specific trail updates and be sure to provide updates if you happen upon some changing conditions. Below are some recommended spots for recreation this weekend.

Swampy Lakes Area trails becoming rideable

According to reports on bendtrails.org, most high-country trails in the Swampy Lakes Area are rideable. Besides the middle and upper sections of Flagline, all trails are clear of snow and riding well. Actually, Swampy/Dutchman might be a little sandy and loose. But sand over snow, I say.

These high-elevation trails are reachable from Skyliner and Swampy Lakes trailheads as well as Phil’s Upper Whoops. When starting at the Swampy Lakes Sno-park — permit not necessary during to summer months — take Ridge Loop up to Vista Butte for some climbing and a nice photo opportunity. Or head out on Swampy Lakes Loop, which is rarely ridden as an actual loop (but can be), to reach Swede Ridge or S.S.T and Sector 16 or Tumalo Ridge. If you’re lucky, someone might be willing to give you a ride to the trailhead so you can bomb on down into town via lower Phil’s trails. These trails are prone to winter deadfall so be on the lookout for downed trees and branches.

Head up to Devils Lake for swim, paddle

While there’s no triple-digit numbers in the 10-day forecast, highs in the 90s still makes for a hot mid-summer week in Central Oregon. And there’s no better way to beat the heat — although Deschutes River floaters might argue differently — than heading up to one of the areas many mountain lakes. Pristine Devils Lake, located along Century Drive about 30 miles southwest of Bend, offers a quiet spot to paddle, swim or lay out in the sun.

It’s also a great lake to take kids fishing. The shallow, 24-acre lake has a fishable shoreline with easy access and is stocked with rainbow trout in addition to a naturally reproducing brook trout population.

The lake was formed by a lava flow still visible on the lake’s east end. It has an average depth of 3 feet and maximum depth of 10 feet. Motor boats are prohibited.

A recreation pass is required to park at the lake. Check out the Forest Service website to get a pass.

Tiddlywinks jump section reopens

Popular flow-line Lower Tiddlywinks reopened Thursday morning, according to a post on the BendTrails Facebook group. A section of the heavily trafficked, mostly downhill trail has been closed for a month or so while Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) crews and volunteers have resurfaced it and rebuilt berms and jumps. Trail crew say riders should be careful on the new trail as some sections are dry.

Lower Tiddlywinks used to be a forest road, according to bendtrails.org, but COTA have turned it into a dynamic, four-mile intermediate jump line similar to Lower Whoops. It is a two-way trail, but most riders are advised to take Funner, a forest road or another way up to the upper section. Otherwise, be aware of fast-approaching downhill riders. There is a climbing route from the intersection of Larsen’s that bypasses the lower portion.

Anglers have luck nymphing on Crooked River

Now that threat of flood control operations and high flows on the Crooked River are over, anglers can enjoy fishing for trout and whitefish on the river. Nymphing has been the most effective method for anglers, according to reports on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. Fly anglers should try blue wing olive or midge patterns, keeping an eye out for fish rising in the afternoon.

Fishing is open year-round on the Crooked below Bowman Dam, at the west end of Prineville Reservoir. The river flows from its headwaters east of Prineville to its confluence with the Deschutes River southwest of Madras. Rainbow trout over 20 inches and steelhead must be released. Anglers who catch bull trout should also release it unharmed and report the catch to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov.

Check out the department of fish and wildlife’s website for more fishing reports.

For a full list of conditions updated regularly, visit bendbulletin.com/explore/conditions.

How to float the Deschutes River in Bend this summer