Fri 5/31 - AM 1:50

McKenzie river trail. Another well-reviewed site that didn't disappoint. Out and back starting from Belknap Springs. After the time in Bend and the drier climate it was an eye-opening experience to be in the midst of such a lush environment vegetation-wise. Footing not always the greatest with some muddy spots and roots but the surroundings made up for it. Also not as much of an elevation gain as I was expecting, given that I went upstream to start. Most of the elevation gain comes further upstream than where I was. Went out for just under an hour and the return trip took just about as long. Got moving as much as I could the last 20 minutes, finished feeling fairly spent. Quite an experience overall. Worth stopping to take some pictures:

 watch out for Ewoks

 upstream from middle of a bridge

downstream from the same bridge