Smith Rock State Park consists of dramatic rock spires that rise above the Crooked River. Located just nine miles northeast of Redmond, Smith Rock is world-renown for rock climbing.
Smith Rock presents an awesome demonstration of the power and diversity of volcanic activity. The canyon landscapes were created by two very different volcanic events - explosions of volcanic ash and the quiet flow of fluid basalt.
It's best to start early in the morning if you wish to hike to Monkey Face. The temperature can rise to 100 degrees in the summer. After a steep hike up, the views are great from the top. You can see many of the peaks of the Cascades. Allow about 2-3 hours to hike the main loop. Be alert for rattlesnakes in remote areas of the park.
Visit these other great sites:
SmithRock.com
Panoramic 360-degree views of Smith Rock SP
Mount Bachelor Ski Resort
Ski the slopes of the Cascades at Bend, Oregon
Deschutes County Bike Guide
Excellent site with descriptions and photos
Panoramio.com
Map your photos in Google Earth