Wanderlust Tours | Crooked River Caldera Dark Skies Weekend
May 10 at 4:00 pm - May 12 at 12:00 pm
$410
Located east of Bend, on the western flank of the Ochoco National Forest, Prineville sits in the heart of the Crooked River Caldera, an ancient supervolcano that last erupted around 30 million years ago. Lying on the edge of the Oregon outback, it is one of the best places in the country for stargazing and night sky adventures. Join us for a weekend filled with stargazing, stunning hikes, a multi-course dinner, and naturalist interpretation about the vital importance of our dark skies.
Naturalist Guided Experience: During the adventures, your Naturalist Guide will highlight the stunning geography of the area while also imparting an understanding of the stars, galaxies, and cosmos above! Age-old stories and myths mixed with astronomy will enlighten just as the stars do! With the beginning of a new moon phase, our lunar neighbor will not impede on the stars above!
Adventure:
Friday: Our adventure will begin with a welcome beverage at the Best Western before fueling up with dinner at the Corral Tap Room & Food Carts. Over a bite to eat, your Naturalist Guide will share with you the region’s volcanic past as well as its more modern day history. After dinner, we will set out for a sunset hike that will garner us panoramic views of Prineville as well as the Cascade Mountains backlit by the setting sun. Hiking on this ancient volcanic dome will put this region’s geology front and center, illustrating the massive earth upheaval that occurred here. As the stars begin to appear, your guide will share how dark skies are some of our greatest natural treasures and what we can do to protect them.
Saturday: Our day will start with an inspiring morning hike along a trail laden with Ponderosa and Juniper. Our destination is the stunning Stein’s Pillar. This 350ft tall volcanic skyscraper is a relic to eons past when our planet was rife with volcanic volatility. You guide will touch on the rich geologic history as well as the local flora and fauna as we traverse the rim of an ancient volcano. To conclude our hike, we will enjoy a picnic-style lunch before heading back to town. The afternoon is yours for the taking! Feel free to rest, explore downtown, or join your guide for an optional tour of the Bowman Museum. We will reconvene in the evening and head out to a scenic location for an off-grid dinner crafted by our expert backcountry chef and paired with local beer & wine. After dinner, your guide will lead an interactive and engaging walk as we discuss the stars and galaxies above, gazing up in wonder at the universe within which we are just a humble speck! Delectable hot cocoa will keep us warm while we seek out shooting stars and planets.
Sunday: To cap off our weekend in the Crooked River Caldera, we will take a guided walk through the Crooked River Wetlands, gaining insight into the creation of these wetlands that serve as vital habitat to many bird and other animals that call the high desert home. From the Crooked River Wetlands we will head back to Bend, carrying with us unforgettable memories from an inspiring weekend!
Follow the link to our website for full details!
