The highlights of the South Junction include the majestic views of the meandering Deschutes River and the fascinating history of the railroad wars. But there’s even more! Traversing the high desert covered with grasses, bush, and scattered Juniper trees, you’ll see amazing views of the Cascade Mountains, ranging from Mt. Bachelor in the south to Mt Hood in the north.

As you make your way towards the Deschutes River on this out & back route, you’ll drop down into the Deschutes River Canyon, a deep rimrock-lined canyon that ranges from 900 feet to 2,600 feet in depth. You’ll pass steep basalt cliffs that are stunningly beautiful! Once you arrive at the Deschutes River, you’ll see waters that are truly wild and scenic, as the Deschutes River was designed a National Wild and Scenic River in 1988.

Created by Congress in 1968, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was enacted “to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.” The goal is to protect and preserve the unique character and attributes of these the nation’s most pristine rivers while balancing recreation, water quality, fish and wildlife, and other values. [Oregon Wild]

Once at the river, you’ll get a taste of the old railway history.

The Deschutes Railroad War began in 1908 when two competing railroad companies, the Deschutes Railroad and the Oregon Trunk Railway, started racing to build a line from the mouth of the Deschutes River across central Oregon. The Deschutes Railroad, a Union Pacific subsidiary, was owned by Edward H. Harriman and the Oregon Trunk was owned by James J. Hill.

Harriman was the first to begin construction and, after surveying the area, he decided that the eastern side of the river would be the best route. Soon after, Hill began building his own line on the western side. Later on, however, in the Deschutes River Canyon, the two roads actually ran side-by-side or shared the same rails and terminals. Over the following years, there were multiple legal disputes to decide which company should have sole access to the canyon, but railroad workers went even further. Competing construction crews would often blow up the other side’s supplies by igniting their black powder stores. They also dumped boulders onto camps below and engaged in small gunfights. Casualties remained light though and by 1912 the two railroads were operating on mostly separate lines, thus removing the cause for hostility. [Wikipedia]

As you return from whence you came, enjoy the changing views as you experience them from the opposite direction.