Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Jim Hammond for an exploration of the summer night sky at Rimrock Ranch. Jim and friends from the Sisters Astronomy Club will set up powerful telescopes and help you identify constellations, planets, and far-away galaxies. Explore astronomy and get a rare chance to enjoy the dark skies of this protected ranch. Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.

• Outing Details + Route

  Hike Rating: This is an outing with minimal walking.

  Route: The star party will occur adjacent to the parking area on a gravel road. Terrain will be uneven at times.

  Elevation gain/loss: There is no elevation gain/loss for this outing.

• What to Bring

  Flashlight/Headlamp, warm clothes, camp chairs, small telescopes (if you have them), snacks, water, closed toe shoes. Dress for the weather.

• About the Property

  Rimrock Ranch is a 1,123 acre wildlife Preserve near Sisters. The Land Trust worked with its owners in 2006 to protect its outstanding natural resources through a land preservation agreement and then purchased the property in 2020. Rimrock Ranch contains 1.7 miles of Whychus Creek, native grasslands, juniper forests, and unique rock formations. The property is home to a wide variety of wildlife including salmon and steelhead, mule deer, rocky mountain elk, golden eagles, and numerous songbirds.

• 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.