Summer Lake Hot Springs

Summer Lake Hot Springs, located in Summer Lake, near Paisley in Eastern Oregon is a hot springs that is open year round.  The owners are amenable to filming and there is lodging on site (cabins, RV hookups and camping).  There are multiple barns on the property, and a horse corral (with horses).  Expansive location with mountains on one side, and alkaline lake bed on the other.  

Images were taken in early November, at 8.30am, predominantly facing NE.

Exterior Hot Springs (Summer Lake)

Hot Springs (interior)

Hot Springs Shed (exterior)

Summer Lake Hot Springs (facing NE, 8.30am)

Summer Lake Hot Springs

Summer Lake Hot Springs

Summer Lake Hot Springs

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Mt. Bachelor Village Trail (South)

The Deschutes River Trail  is connected by a footbridge 1.5 miles upstream from Farewell Bend Park bridge. The West side is known as the Mt. Bachelor Village Trail. It is open to pedestrians, but cyclists are not allowed. An alternative cycling route connects from the Bill Healy Bridge to the Haul Road Trail along Century Drive.

Images taken incorporate the west side down towards the Bill Healy Bridge, and along the trail.  There is parking on the opposite side of the bridge (Old Mill side), and two restrooms.

Large productions/ trucks may be a challenge, however there is parking up the road from the bridge.

Images taken April 20, 2017. 

Permits required by Bend Park and Recreation, and must be applied for at least 21 days in advance of the shoot.

Deschutes River Trail (OMD)

 

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Benham Falls (Spring)

Taken April 25, 2017. Looking towards picnic table, restroom and parking area. 10am.

Benham Falls is located about 13 miles from downtown Bend.  Driving: 30 minutes.

Located off NFD Road 41.

Limited parking available.

Public Restroom (maintained by Deschutes National Forest)

Production permit required from Deschutes National Forest (please apply at least 21 days in advance of production).

 

Benham Falls

 

Upper hiking trail from parking area and restroom.

Benham Falls downriver, forest view in Spring.

Deschutes River Trail to Benham Falls in Deschutes National Forest

Benham Falls

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Big Eddy (Deschutes River Trail)

Big Eddy Kayaking (video footage)

Big Eddy  is located close to Bend off the Cascade Lakes Highway, on NF 41, on the Deschutes River.  This area is known for its whitewater rafting adventures and stunning scenery. These Class III rapids wind around the beautiful Deschutes River. 

The nearby parking lot has Deschutes National Forest maintained toilet facilities and a picnic table. 

There is a Recreation Fee Site: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass May 1 – September 30. Passes are NOT available at this site, but can be purchased from Forest Service offices or vendors. Please check here for more information about recreation passes and where they can be purchased.

Film Permits must be obtained from the Deschutes National Forest, well in advance of the shoot (please give at least 21-30 days notice for film permits).  COFO can help you with that.

Directions from Bend: Travel approximately 7 miles west on Cascade Lakes Highway (Highway 46), then south on Forest Road 41 for 1 1/2 miles. Follow the directional signs.  The turn off for the Forest Road is opposite the Cascade Lakes Highway visitor center.

Images taken July.

 

 

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Fort Rock

Fort Rock is an excellent option for productions that are looking for a massive rock formation, either for print, TV, commercial or film work.  Providing a stunning backdrop, Fort Rock provides iconic 360 degree vistas. As Fort Rock is a State Park, there is no permit required, but productions do need a special use permit which can be obtained by the Fort Rock State Park Ranger, who are excellent to work with.  Please contact them, or this office at least 21 days in advance of any production.

There is parking in the area at the base of the rock, including basic restroom facilities and water.

Additional parking can be obtained by leasing space at the ranch adjoining the Park.

Images taken mid-June. Noon. Facing South, and early November, 10am.

From Wikipedia:

The rock was created when basalt magma rose to the surface and encountered the wet muds of a lake bottom. Powered by a jet of steam, molten basalt was blown into the air, creating a fountain of hot lava particles and frothy ash. The pieces and blobs of hot lava and ash rained down around the vent and formed a saucer-shaped ring of lapilli tuff and volcanic ash sitting like an island in the lake waters. Steam explosions also loosened angular chunks of black and red lava rock comprising the valley floor. These blocky inclusions are incorporated into the fine-grained tuff layers at Fort Rock. Waves from the lake waters eroded the outside of the ring, cutting the steep cliffs into terraces 66 feet (20 m) above the floor of Fort Rock Valley.

The wave-cut terraces on the south side of the ring mark former lake levels of this now-dry lakebed. Southerly winds, which are still predominant in this region, apparently drove waves against the south side of the ring, eroding the soft ash layers, breaching it, and creating a large opening on the south side. 

Previous age estimates of Fort Rock ranged upwards to 1.8 million years. Recently, the age of Fort Rock has been estimated at 50,000 to 100,000 years. This coincides with a period of time when large pluvial lakes filled the valleys of central Oregon and much of the Great Basin of the western United States. At its maximum, the water in Fort Rock Lake was estimated to cover nearly 900 square miles (2,300 km2) and was about 150 feet (46 m) deep where the Fort Rock tuff ring formed.

The extensive terrace on the side of Fort Rock marks one lakeshore about 14,000 years ago. Even higher water levels are recorded on the tuff cliffs and at one point only the tops of the tuff ring were exposed as rocky islands in this inland sea. An age of about 21,000 years ago has been found for this highest lake level.

 

 

 

Fort Rock State Park. A majestic alternative to Smith Rock.

 

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