Re: Paulina Lake, OR

[CMKSAGEHIL <CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com>]

Hi, Christy--

I am the ride manager of the Paulina Peak Ride.  It is not held until the
weekend after Labor Day.  There used to be a ride held July 4th but it only
utilized the trails below the rim.  The North Rim Trail in particular is often
not clear of snow until late July or early August.

There is NO water on the trails.  There is, however, a horse campground inside
the crater called Chief Paulina Horse Camp, and there is water there.  It has
good camping facilities for people riding the area with horses and connects
right into the trail system.  The campgrounds are operated by a private group
called Northwest Land Management on behalf of the Forest Service; you can get
their number by calling the Deschutes National Forest in Bend.  There is a fee
(not too high, as I recall) and they do take reservations.

Be advised that the Forest Service DOES NOT clear the trails!  There is
frequently heavy downfall.  Some years Oregon Equestrian Trails clear some of
the trails around the horse camp.  I personally do the rest, unless I am lucky
enough to get a hand from other endurance people.  (Just to give you an
idea--last year before the Pan-Am Championship held over those trails, over
200 man-hours were put in by our group clearing that trail system.)  We do not
do this until just before our ride.  Last year the Forest Service did utilize
the Youth Conservation Corps to clear the upper part of the Paulina Creek
Trail and a small portion of the North Rim--they did not do this until August.

This is really a beautiful area--I am sure you will enjoy it.  If I can be of
any further help, please feel free to contact me.

Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)