Big Red sounds like the name of a dog . . . or an old pickup truck . . . or that kid in high school who played center on the basketball team. But in La Pine State Park, Big Red is the name of Oregon’s largest ponderosa pine tree. He’s an old guy . . . . Over 500 years old, which means he was alive when Christopher Columbus was born . . . . And he earns his name by topping off at 162 feet tall and 28.9 feet around.
Big Red isn’t the only reason to do this ride: There’s also a visit to the lovely Fall River Falls (yes, the name is really Fall River Falls.) And there are miles and miles of gently rolling single track trails along the Deschutes and Fall Rivers in La Pine State Park. Most of the ride is wonderfully shaded and the trails are mainly smooth and packed down.
There’s almost nobody on these trails; just mainly fly fishers who pride themselves on their secret fishing spots and hikers who are camping at the park. But you will see birds of prey: hawks, osprey, and even owls.
This ride is easy like Sunday Morning. But it’s well worth the drive to La Pine just for all the river views … and the visit to Big Red.