About the Author

K.M. Collins

A native Oregonian, K.M. Collins is a geologist-gone writer. Covering everything outdoors and a spectrum of journalism, she operates her content and marketing company, Guerrilla Media Bend, from Central Oregon. Between whitewater paddle boarding, kayaking and rafting, she's a jack of all water trades. Roller skating, snowboarding and cycling rank among her favorite land-based activities. Sunstones, petroglyphs, obsidians, wildflower identification and cooking on a Dutch oven make her smile. Follow her adventures at @guerrillamediabend.

Hiking Along the Central Oregon Waterfall Trail

February 22, 2022
Spring showers don’t just bring May flowers in Oregon — they also bring surging waterways, including tumbling waterfalls. Spring cascades in full force are a sight to behold, especially in the usually dry Oregon high desert. More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Waterfalls , Destinations ,

Beginner’s Guide to Cross-Country Skiing in Central Oregon

December 10, 2021
Cross-country skiing is half cardio workout, half mind-body enlightenment experience. It’s “listening to the snow and trees, breathing the fresh air, and generally being at one with nature in a rare winter way,” describes Bend athlete Julie Southwell. It’s “staying perfectly warm while moving smoothly on the frozen land.” More
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Central Oregon , Bend , Cross-Country Skiing , Outdoor Recreation ,

La guĂ­a de una persona local para conocer los pueblos del desierto alto de Oregon

October 1, 2021
Al subir por el camino en espiral del mirador escénico Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, un cono de escoria en el centro de Bend, puede voltear hacia todas las direcciones y observar la grandeza del desierto alto. El atardecer es un momento especial en el cual puede ver el contorno del volcán Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, el estratovolcán Black Butte y Mt. Hood. Junto con el paisaje de juníperos y salvia, también puede sentir la energía irradiando de cada comunidad periférica, asentada entre Cascade Peaks...Nota del editor: El uso de mascarilla es obligatorio (para las personas mayores de 5 años) en todos los espacios públicos del estado en espacios cerrados y al aire libre, sin importar su estado de vacunación. Más información aquí. Además, es temporada de incendios forestales; planee con anticipación y ponga de su parte para prevenir incendios forestales.  Al subir por el camino en espiral del mirador escénico Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, un cono de escoria en el centro de Bend, puede voltear hacia todas... More
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Central Oregon , Redmond , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

A Local’s Guide to Small Towns in Oregon’s High Desert

September 1, 2021
Hiking up the spiral trail at Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint — a cinder cone in the center of Bend — you can look out in all directions and see the grandeur of the high desert. Sunset is a special time, when you can see the silhouettes of the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Black Butte and Mt. Hood in all their glory. Among the landscape of juniper and sage, you can also feel the energy radiating from each outlying community, set against the Cascade peaks... More
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Central Oregon , Redmond , Favorite Trips , Trip Ideas ,

Making Room for All in Oregon’s Climbing Community

June 23, 2021
Many years ago as a freshman geology student at the University of Oregon, I learned to rock climb at Smith Rock State Park — specifically at Bunny Face, a 5.7 climb. (Ratings are on a Class 5 scale, with 5.0 being the easiest and 5.15 the most difficult). Between the sun exposure, sharp rock and vertigo, Smith Rock 5.7s can be formidable. More
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Central Oregon , Redmond , Guides & Charters , Guides & Tours ,