Criterion Ranch
It was a beautiful sunny spring day. I parked at the Criterion Ranch 3,200-foot trailhead about 10 miles south of Maupin.
The Deschutes River snakes through the desert far below.
Mt. Hood from Stag Point
Stag Point
The flat top of the ridge is the tallest land for many miles in any direction. It is sagebrush country, with a few scattered juniper trees.
As I started hiking north the crown jewels of the Cascade Mountains were easily visible, beginning with Broken Top, the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Olallie Butte and Mt. Hood. What a display! Although, I was about three weeks too early for the big wildflower show.
After four miles of following an old jeep track, I dropped off the crest to some open meadows culminating in a short climb to Stag Point. The views extended all the way down to a sharp bend in the Deschutes River. Is there any place else in Oregon that provides as scenic spot for lunch?
Calves standing their ground
Stock pond
The Three Sisters on a hazy day
Deschutes River far below Stag Point
Phlox
Mt. Hood
The trail
Trailhead
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