The Land Trust initiated negotiations and cooperatively partnered with The Trust for Public Land to conserve Alder Springs, an 840 acre in-holding within the Crooked River National Grasslands in 1998. The Alder Springs property is bisected by Whychus Creek, just above Whychus Creek's confluence with the Deschutes River. Alder Springs is owned and managed by the Crooked River National Grassland.
The Deschutes River downstream from its confluence with Whychus Creek. Photo: Joan Amero
Watch for wildflowers: Alder Springs offers some of the earliest wildflower displays in the high desert. April and May are great times to see the tiny early wildflowers of our sagebrush plateaus.
Explore Alder Springs: Alder Springs bursts from the seemingly dry canyon walls and burbles down the canyon slopes to join Whychus Creek. Enjoy this ribbon of green in an otherwise arid landscape.
Hike to the confluence. Hearty hikers can ford Whychus Creek and hike to the confluence of Whychus Creek and the Deschutes River. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes as this is one of their favorite sunny locales.
Please note: Alder Springs is owned and managed by the Crooked River National Grasslands. For information on Alder Springs, including driving directions, maps and allowed uses, please visit the Forest Service website.
Whychus Creek at Alder Springs. Photo: Randy Tomer.
Alder Springs is part of the Metolius Deer Winter Range and contains a significant stretch of Whychus Creek and the Deschutes River. Conservation of this former ranch protects prime fish and wildlife habitat. Outstanding scenic canyons and natural springs also provide conservation value.
Alder Springs is owned and managed by the Crooked River National Grasslands. For information on Alder Springs, including driving directions, maps and allowed uses, please visit the Forest Service website.
The map below shows the location of Alder Springs in relation to other Land Trust conserved lands.
The Deschutes River downstream from its confluence with Whychus Creek. Photo: Joan Amero
Whychus Creek at Alder Springs. Photo: Randy Tomer.