Autumn has already swept through the valley leaving behind a drab winter landscape on Tumalo Creek, only brightened with the morning sun and a fresh dusting of snow. Found just outside Bend, Oregon, the Tumalo is regarded as a precious resource when it comes to the town's prime water source.
   Over the years, logging and a major fire has lead to considerable erosion along the river's broad floodplain. A one-two punch from the Watershed Council and Deschutes Nation Forest agencies invested almost a million dollars in stabilization and restoration of wetland and riparian habitats. Doubling as a recreation area, Tumalo Creek is noted for trout fishing and several waterfalls from its initial rise in the Cascade Mountains. Tumalo Falls is an outstanding feature along the river, and one of a half-dozen named waterfalls on a 7.4 mile loop trail. The Tumalo Falls Day Use Area trailhead is at the end of Tumalo Falls Road (via Skyliners Rd), offering a half-mile round trip to the falls.

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