Swampy-Dutchman Trail #40

Swampy-Dutchman Trail #40 is a short, out-and-back cross-country ski route in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.7 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 323 feet over the round trip. The high point is 5,935 feet, and the low point is 5,801 feet, so the route is a gentle climb and descent rather than a steep ascent. The trail starts at the high point, and the steepest stretch comes about halfway through, with a grade of about 8 percent. That makes it a manageable outing for skiers looking for a short outing in the forest. Winter is the natural season for cross-country skiing here. Typical averages from the nearby Wickiup Dam weather station, which sits well below the trail, show January highs around 40°F and lows near 21°F, with more wet days in the colder months. Summer is much warmer, with July highs in the low 80s. Several other routes lie close by. Swampy Lakes Loop, a cross-country ski route, is about half a mile away, and the Beginners Loop hike is about 0.3 miles off. The Swampy Lakes hike is about 0.7 miles away. For an overnight stay, Three Creeks Lake Campground is roughly 8 miles from the trail.