Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Martha Lussenhop for a history wander at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve and the nearby Camp Polk Cemetery. Camp Polk Meadow Preserve has a long history as a crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, soldiers, and settlers. Today it is known as a local nature preserve that is home to a variety of plants and animals, with portions of the Preserve being restored to improve habitat. Learn more about what brought Indigenous people to the meadow seasonally, and see evidence of settlers making a living there too. Then, we will walk up an adjacent knoll to the Camp Polk Cemetery. With both traditional and unconventional memorials, we'll learn about some of the early settlers who were buried there. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.
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Outing Details + Route
Hike Rating: This is an easy, 1-2 mile walk on a gravel trail and dirt roads.
Route: This hike will start at the Camp Polk Meadow Preserve kiosk, follow a gravel trail, and then go along a dirt road to the cemetery. Terrain will be uneven at times.
Elevation gain/loss: There is very little elevation gain/loss on this hike.
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What to Bring
Snacks/lunch, water, closed toe shoes. Dress for the weather.
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About the Property
Camp Polk Meadow Preserve is a 152 acre Preserve on Whychus Creek near Sisters, Oregon. The Preserve was first established by the Deschutes Land Trust in 2000. The Preserve contains approximately 1.4 miles of Whychus Creek, wetlands, meadows, aspen groves and ponderosa pine stands. It is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species and is one of Central Oregon's birding hot spots. The Preserve also has a long and illustrious history as a crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, soldiers and settlers.
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Accessibility
The Land Trust is working to make our Walks + Hikes as accessible as possible. Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this outing to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.
