I I

I I

I I

I I I

I Lower Deschutes I I I

The History of the Day-Use Area I I

I I

I I

I I The Cove Palisades I Tam-a-láu Trail Tam-a-láu Trail I I I

I I State Park I I I The Tam-a-láu The Tam-a-láu Trail derives its name from a Native I I I I I Trail is an experi- American phrase meaning “place of big rocks on the I I

I rm I I I I ence of a lifetime. ground.” This also was the name of an A

The hike is a total ancient trail that passed through the area iver

rm

of six miles round as part of a trade route to the Columbia “I’ve seen a lot in R A Park Hiking Guide trip from the River. Local tribal elders named the trail my life, but this Headquarters

campground, and because of their long history and associa- was awesome!”

ooked r seven miles round tion with this area. C trip from the day- Petroglyph — Visitor, Group hutes River use area trailhead. The story of the modern Tam-a-láu Trail Dallas, OR Camps Loop A I I From the trailhead originates at The Island. An isolated 200- I I Desc I I

I to the top of the acre plateau that is one of the few rem- I I I high plateau nants of pre-settlement ecology in the I I I I I Loop C I (called The Peninsula), the trail gains 600 feet in West, The Island is home to one of the last nearly I I Deschutes I elevation. On the way up, you will pass through pristine ecosystems of its type in the United States. Campground I I I I I I areas rich in wildlife and unspoiled native vegetation, I I I I I JO Loop B I RDA as well as three unique geological formations. At the Because of its ecological significance, The Island was Upper I N I R I I O Deschutes Trailhead A top, the trail makes a 3.5-mile loop around The designated as a Research Natural Area (RNA) in I I D Registration I Day-Use I I Peninsula, which affords spectacular views of the 1986 and then closed to recreational use and casual I Area I I I I high Cascade Mountain peaks and the Deschutes visits in 1997. This closure was due to a noticeable I I

I The Peninsula I I and Crooked River canyons. Imagine what it was decline in The Island’s ecological well-being, which I I I I I like for early homesteaders trying to live off this stemmed from a dramatic increase in visitors during I I I I I I harsh and unforgiving landscape. Remember not to the 1990s. I I D I A I I O I disturb or remove any rock structures you encounter I I AN R I 1000 0 1000 2000 Feet

RD I I

JO I while on To preserve the unique significance of I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Tam-a- The Peninsula, The Tam-a-láu Trail was I I I

I I

láu Trail. created in 1997 through the joint efforts I I I of Parks and Recreation I I I I

Department, Portland General Electric, I I I I

I the Bureau of Land Management, the I I I

I United States Forest Service and the LEGEND I I The north tip I I Restroom Amphitheater Service Road Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. I of The Island I ADA Restroom Showers Road I I viewed from the The Tam-a-láu offers visitors the same I Fee Station Dump Station Parking Tam-a-lau Trail. I terrain as The Island once did, and from Boat Ramp Park Headquarters Lake I Picnic Area Park Boundary I the tip of The Peninsula, visitors have an Self-guided Loop I I I I Trailhead Trail I I Canyon Rim I inspiring view of The Island. I Viewpoint Tam-a-láu Trail I I I I I The Cove Palisades was once a place where Native Americans traveling along the rivers could rest and Take A Hike Welcome 4. Mule Deer’s Favorite Browse Don’t visit with each other. One of these Native Americans “Best sunset I’ve The Cove Palisades State Park is Although bitter to humans, these bushes, was , a local Wasco Indian who guided ever seen!” to The home to more than 10 miles of known as bitterbrush, are essential to a mule forget to: John C. Fremont, a famous pioneer, through the hiking trails. deer’s diet. Cove Palisades area in 1843. In 1878, Clark Green Rogers, one of — Visitor, • Always carry water with the first settlers in the area, named a refreshing Washington you when hiking. More than three miles of hiking 5. Palette of Color The Cove Palisades State swimming hole on the Crooked River “The Cove.” State “Great hike and trails are available near the Deschutes Wildflowers highlight the high desert with Park has a brilliance no The name stuck and in 1940 became part of the • Dress properly. spectacular views. River campground. Traveling over their seasonal blooms. Some of the flowers other area in Oregon can park’s official name. We’ll be back!” gentle hills and through shallow claim. Its steep, rocky are arrowleaf balsam root, desert paintbrush, mari- • Time your hike to avoid gullies near Lake Billy Chinook, these trails are posa lily, and lupine. plateaus launching into Round Butte darkness. The Tam-a-láu — Visitor Left: Crooked River Petroglyph. perfect for those family strolls and quick trips to Trail is day-use only, the refreshing and placid Below: Lake Billy Chinook. Dam was com- Stuttgart, and from the lake. Viewpoints and rest-stations are and camping is not Lake Billy Chinook give pleted in 1964 to 6. Desert Mosaic Germany featured at various locations. permitted. this park a dramatic feel impound the flow The colorful scaly lichens attached to these rocks are that is hard to resist. of the Crooked, living organisms—algae and fungus—living in a symbiotic relationship. Algae produce the food and • Stay on the trail at all Deschutes, and Self-Guided Trail times. Located in the heart of Metolius Rivers. fungus provides the roots. A short, self-guided loop trail with eight visitor and Engineers esti- stations offers insights into the plants and animals • Keep dogs on leashes at all times. encompassing the Deschutes and Crooked River mated that the 7. Holding Things Together of the high desert. Below are descriptions of each canyons, this park epitomizes the majesty of reservoir would Grasses are the single most important plant in the • Leave vegetation where it is. interpretive station. central Oregon’s semiarid environment. From take over a year to high desert. A major source of food for all grazing the peaceful waters of Lake Billy Chinook to animals, they are also instrumental in preventing • Have a great time! fill, but heavy 1. World’s Largest Juniper Forest the peak of Mt. Jefferson looming in the dis- rainfall and soil erosion. Central Oregon’s western juniper forest forms a tance, this park offers breathtaking views that snowmelt in 1964 distinct zone between eastern Oregon’s sagebrush Thank you! visitors never forget. Extensive hiking trails finished filling it in 8. Nature’s “Rain Barrel” and western Oregon’s ponderosa pines. allow visitors to experience the beautiful scents, one week! The A sagebrush’s long roots allow it to draw water from sounds and scenery of Oregon’s high desert. Confederated deep underground reservoirs, while its small, hairy 2. “Desert Skin” Tribes of Warm Springs named the reservoir in leaves prevent moisture loss through evaporation. honor of their famous ancestor, Billy Chinook. A crypto-biotic crust covers undisturbed areas of the American Indians and pioneers regarded an abun- An Ancient History high desert. This quarter-inch layer is a mixture dance of large sagebrush as a sign of an available Come experience it! of lichens, microorganisms, algae and mosses. It Long before settlement of the west, Native Americans water supply. The Cove Palisades State Park minimizes wind and water erosion and prevents lived in this area. Dramatic evidence of this is etched 7300 Jordan Rd. non-native plants from growing. into stone on the Crooked River Petroglyph (see map Camping at Kayaking Culver, OR 97734 for location). Petroglyphs are engravings on stone (541) 546-3412 The Cove Palisades 3. Playing Dead When you’re finished hiking the trails, try exploring created by native people centuries ago to document or www.oregonstateparks.org Plants in the high desert have adapted to little or Lake Billy Chinook. The Cove Palisades offers share information, events, or spiritual beliefs. Al- The park has two campgrounds complete with though the exact age and meaning of the petroglyphs no rainfall. The moss found on these rocks dries naturalist-guided kayak excursions around the lake full hookup RV sites, tent sites and group areas. are unknown, they are similar in style to other up and dies during periods of little moisture. seasonally. For details and a schedule, check with Printed on Recycled Paper Campsites are reserved 2 days to 9 months in When the rains do come, though, the mosses park staff orwww.oregonstateparks.org . This publication is available in alternative formats on request. petroglyphs in the region. Write to: OPRD, 725 Summer St. NE, Ste C, Salem, OR 97301 advance by calling 1-800-452-5687. rapidly turn green and become alive. or call (503) 986-0707 (for the hearing impaired 1-800-735-2900). 63400-8072 (4/10)