After a long hiatus from long form posting I'm ready to dip my toes back into the pool. The subject matter is another place I haven't been to in a few years, Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon. The park covers around 650 acres and I have explored only a very small portion of that. On this trip I venture into an area of the park I have yet to visit. So follow along as I share some pictures, videos, and thoughts about my short hike. 😀
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As you arrive in the parking area you are met be a spectacular view. My journey will take me over the edge and down into the canyon below.
Looking to my right I see some of the area I have explored previously.
Once over the canyon rim I get a view of where today's exploration will take me. I will cross the Crooked River and follow the trail around the edge of the monolith to see some sights I have yet to see.
Nearing the canyon floor I grab some shots of the massive rock wall in front of me and the monolith I will soon be circling around.
A look back at the bridge crossing before I continue on around on the trail.
Smith Rock State Park is also known as the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing. Above you can see some steps leading to the cliff walls for the climbers to access. The following shots show some of the climbers in action on the cliff faces.
The white spots on the cliffs are from the climbers using chalk to help solidify their grip. The left over residue shows some of the different routes taken by the climbers.
Another stunning rock formation comes into view.
As I near the turn around point of my journey for today ...
I notice a goose on the rock above. I knew they hung out here sometimes but this was the first one I had ever seen here.
And of course you can always count on seeing a few raptors patrolling the skies above the cliffs.
A couple views to another part of the park as I begin my trek back to the car.
And of course where there is one goose there is always more. Mom and dad taking the young ones for a swim. 😀
A keyhole type feature high above on the rocks.
A bee visiting a wildflower.
A sweeping view of the park as I ascend out of the canyon.
A couple views from the trail.
Well that's it for this journey. Hope you enjoyed the tour! 😍
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Please feel free to make comments or ask me any questions about this post.
Photos taken by me, 
Hive account@oldmans, with a Nikon D3300, Samsung S20 Galaxy, XTU S6 action camera and some Lightroom post processing.
Please visit WorldMapPin to see the locations of some of my other posts.
Thanks for looking and enjoy your day!
