Alder Springs provides a pleasant hike among the juniper, sagebrush and deer herds (dogged by opportunistic coyote and stealthy mountain lion) that winter in the rugged but low-lying country.  We enjoyed views of the landscape to the east including Smith Rock, Gray Butte and the foothills of the Ochocos as well as mountainous country to the west where you can see the Cascade Range, Little Squaw Back, Green Ridge, and Black Butte.  On occasion you might meet other hikers on the trail, mountain men working trap lines, and even camouflaged hunters looking for coyote.  Alder Springs is home to deer, coyote, cougar, bobcat, elk, various raptors, waterfowl and myriad species of small animals and plant life.