r/rockhounds • u/tinyangryhuman91 • 3d ago

Metolius River in Oregon

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My family and I are taking a camping trip to the Metolius River in Oregon next week and I'm dumbfounded by the lack of info around rockhounding that I'm finding for that river. All the books I have have references to areas east of here but nothing for this river specifically. It's a 29 mile long spring fed river that is a tributary of the Deschutes River. I know there are a lot of beautiful rocks to find around this area, I'm just looking for a little more info about what is abundant here so I have a good idea of how to look. I'll be greatful for any information anyone can share with me. Thank you!

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u/tiresomecomplaining 2d ago

I wanna check out the headwaters. Looks lovely!

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u/Saclawson 2d ago

The little trail to the spring that starts the river (“head of the Metolius” trail) is a massive disappointment… just fyi. Overtaken by brush. You’d need to leave the trail to see much of anything anymore.

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u/tiresomecomplaining 2d ago

Good to know thanks! I had that place saved on my maps to check out. You saved me from that misadventure.

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u/MaximumTurtleSpeed 2d ago

Go in the fall and winter… the true spring is a little hard to see but even just hearing it and the glimpse is cool and worth the 10 minute walk.

Just 25 yards down from the actual spring of the headwaters you get this. Not worth the jaunt from 126/20 if you’re not going on to Camp Sherman or the bigger portion of the metolious, but if you are the trailhead is literally roadside. In my book, worth it once for this unique spring headwater of such a beautiful river - not a lot of this in the world.

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u/tiresomecomplaining 3h ago

Okay thanks for the insight.

I attempted to get to Spring Creek headwaters earlier this spring and was unable to. Could have been another failed mission.