From the outlet of Little Lava Lake, 4,739 feet above sea level, the Deschutes River gets its start. Over the next 252 miles, the river drops 4,579 feet to meet the mighty Columbia.
In its upper reaches, it’s a placid stream that winds its way through the pines, gathering its power from the Little Deschutes, Fall River. Downstream, it gains momentum as it collects water from Whychus Creek, Crooked River, the Metolius, Willow Creek, Trout Creek and hundreds of smaller streams.