CONFLUENCE - Tumalo Creek - Deschutes River
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 44° 06.949 W 121° 20.345
10T E 632903 N 4886077
Tumalo Creek flows into the Deschutes River in a 200 foot deep canyon near Bend, Oregon.
Waymark Code: WM1QEE
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 06/23/2007
Views: 56
Tumalo Creek orginates southeast of Broken Top and flows eastward for about 20 miles before joining the Deschutes River. The name Tumalo is derived from from one of three Indian words but which one is uncertain, the possible meanings are wild plums, ground fog, or icy water.
The Deschutes River begins at Little Lava Lake and flows south for about 20 miles before turning to the northeast for about 70 miles to the point where Tumalo Creek joins it. The Deschutes then flows northward for another 160 miles to join the Columbia River. The name Deschutes originated during the fur trading period when it was refered to as the Riviere des Chutes or Riviere aux Chutes meaning River of the Falls. The falls refered to in the name are on Columbia near the confluence of the Deschutes.
About 78,000 years ago a massive lava flow from Newberry Volcano filled an old channel of the Deschutes River and displaced the river several miles to the west, where it carved nearly 50 miles of new channel before returning to its old channel. Glacial outwash from Tumalo Creek deposited thick gravel deposits against the margin of the flow forming a broad alluvian fan. As the Deschutes established a new channel along the flow margin, Tumalo Creek also cut a new channel to join the Deschutes. At the confluence the canyon is 200 feet deep.
To reach the confluence park in the Day Use parking lot ($3.00) at Tumalo State Park. Take the River Trail upstream to it’s end, then proceed up river following user trails to the confluence. Coordinates are on east bank of Deschutes across from Tumalo Creek.
Parking Coordinates: N 44° 07.706 W 121° 19.912
Trailhead Coordinates: N 44° 07.570' W 121° 20.000'
Relevant Web Site: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
1. Describe your journey and visit.
2. Date of your visit.
3. At least one original photo (DO NOT include either you or your GPSr).