Lake Billy Chinook!

[dandjh1958]

Just got back from camping at the Deschutes campground at Lake Billy Chinook.
The first few days were a shock to our mild Willamette Valley systems as it was 103 degrees! Good thing I brought my misting system with me!! The park ranger stopped and laughed at me for having it running. I told him that I was from the Willamette Valley where it rains all the time and I'd turn to dust if I dried out!
The kayaking was breath-taking down on the water looking straight up several hundred feet at the basalt cliffs.
Water temp was 75 on surface and it felt great when the temps climbed every afternoon.
The boaters weren't too bad until the 4th of July then they took over the water.
We went out early in the morning and got off the water around noon before the boaters woke up so it was all good.
Plus if you stay upstream of the bridges (Crooked River side or Deschutes River side) the speed limit is 10 mph so there was little or no boat traffic.
Also every afternoon the winds kicked up so white cap water isn't what I like to kayak in anyway.

Other than being dry and hot (as eastern Oregon tends to be) the lack of bugs was surprising. We didn't see one mosquito just a few small flying beetles but the birds sucked them up pretty quickly.
We plan to head back there again next year!

[crash]

sounds like you had a pretty good trip.Any pics of the cliffs from the water

[Ken / Claudia]

Been there only once, would like to go back just haven't. Good fishing great weather. I think that park is better than the State park. We looked at properies at the 3 rivers? (not sure if right name). It was my choice, my wife held out for the coast.