Deerhorn county park

Date: 
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Miles: 
69
Bike: 
Soma Saga

 

Day 1. It got hot today. Familiar route though Peoria, Harrisburg, and Coburg. Then McKenzie View which led to 126 completely bypassing Eugene and Springfield. 

Met a cyclist from Boulder, CO riding with his daughter. The started in Bend and came over the pass. 

I would have stopped sooner had there been a campground. I really got lucky finding a Lane County park across the river and away from the highway. There were lots of people at the park but I saw a nice trail so I just rode right through. The trail followed the river and a little way in I saw a picnic table so I stopped. They hadn't been maintaining it and there were nettles and blackberries growing up all around it. But it was in the shade so I cleard a path and made myself at home. I was thinking maybe I'd sleep on the picnic table if no one kicked me out. I assumed there was no camping in this park. I had some food and then decided to take a walk and see the river. Not more then 30' from the picnic table I found a narrow trail leading to the river, and a perfect tent spot under some huge old cedars. So I moved my bike and set up camp. No one came. I don't even think anyone knew I was there. It was perfect. Right on the river.

In the morning I looked and didn't really see any "no camping" signs, so maybe I wasn't even stealth camping. I was feeling really good and ready for day 2.

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River
Down by the river

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Campsite
First night's campsite on the McKenzie

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Day 1 camp
My nice "stealth" camp on the McKenzie River.