We had been trying to plan a visit the High desert of central Oregon for some time, specifically Smith Rock and The Painted Hills. Smith Rock is a 4 hour drive from Grants Pass, and The Painted Hills are 1 1/2 hours past Smith Rock. We wanted a 3 day weekend to explore this area. Unfortunately, by the time we could arrange that, a heat wave had hit the Pacific Northwest. Just a week earlier this area had consistently had highs in the high 80’s to low 90’s and lows in the high 40’s; perfect for camping and hiking. During our visit, highs soared to 109 and there was little relief from the heat at night.

We camped 2 nights at Smith Rock. On the 2nd night there were strong gusts of wind that blew dust through the campground with force. We were attempting to cook dinner when this began and the wind quickly blew out the flame on the propane grill. We gave up on cooking and took cover from the dust in the car and watched and waited as it passed through. A few drops of rain blew through after the dust, but only lasted a few minutes. The storm passed through just as the sun was setting. The dust in the air contributed to an amazing sunset.

Smith Rock is a popular location for climbers with over 180 climbing routes. It also offers hiking, horseback, and mountain bike trails. The Crooked River runs through Smith Rock and provides a lush area that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding desert. I would love to return here when the temperatures are cooler, but have no regrets for bracing the heat to experience this beautiful park.