Steins Pillar Trail Little Traveled Early April 2020

We have focused most of our hikes in the Cascades during our time living in Central Oregon.  However, the Ochocos, east of Prinveille, offer wonderful, less traveled hikes with beautiful vistas and interesting geology.

We traveled an hour out of Bend to find the Steins Pillar trailhead, traveling at the end first on a gravel road for several miles and then a single lane dirt road the last two miles.  When we arrived at 10:00 am, there was no one else there and we enjoyed our two mile hike into the Steins Pillar without seeing any other people. The hike had a few icy sections and patches of snow were still evident on more shaded areas, but the end of the hike being able to see Steins Pillar was well worth it.

Steins Pillar is a 350 foot remnant of a volcano dating back 38 million years. The hike to the Pillar has rock outcroppings, views of the Ochocos, viewpoints of the Pillar when you get closer to it and wildflowers.  The four mile round trip (out and back) is considered moderate and can be accomplished in a couple of hours, depending on how long you spend admiring the pillar when you reach its base.

During our trip out, we passed 4 other parties hiking in.  There were plenty of places to step aside and keep good social distancing. And all the people we passed appeared to be enjoying, as we were, the opportunity to be out of their home.

Covid 19 Concerns Are Real

Concerns over the spread of Covid 19 have quickly changed how we conduct real estate sales in Central Oregon over the past few weeks. Shelter in place, social distancing, travel constraints, economic concerns, social changes, and just an overall fear of catching the coronavirus has really impacted human behavior. As a result, we are seeing two distinctly different groups here at Bend Premier Real Estate when it comes to real estate transactions. 

Get me out!

The first group was the first to emerge as soon as the panic set in. With predictions of massive layoffs and record unemployment, we started to hear concerns of potential job loses and uncertainty...

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Peter Skene Ogden Trail Provides Waterfalls and Privacy

Three weeks into the coronavirus pandemic in the United States and one week into the shut down of Oregon's State Parks, we have been searching for options where we can enjoy a hike with plenty of space to keep six feet away from others which is now the norm. Yesterday we traveled 23 miles south of Bend and took the road toward Paulina National Monument, turning off on the dirt road to McKay Crossing.  The campground at the crossing was closed, but the Peter Skene Ogden Trail was open and we hiked roughly 3.5 miles up the trail until snow accumulation kept us from going further.

We have hiked this trail before, going all 7 miles up to Paulina Falls at Paulina Lake in the Newberry Crater.  However, this early in the season snow is a factor.  The weather was cool - no higher than the low 40's - and it started snowing as we returned to our car. However, the chance to take a moderate hike with views of Paulina Creek and waterfalls in an early spring setting was so welcome after days of isolation at home.

During the hike we saw a total of 6 people and one dog - all during our return trip.  There were plenty of places on the trail to step aside to keep social distancing in place. 

Bessie Butte is a Little Known Bend Hike

Just a short drive east on China Hat Road in SE Bend you can find Bessie Butte. A quick 1.5 mile round trip, the hike has 500 feet elevation gain and easy access. Although not as well known or used as Pilot Butte, Bessie Butte is a great hiking option and provides for wonderful views from the top.

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, after being at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, we drove the short distance to the Bessie Butte trail head and hiked to the top. During the walk, we did pass several parties coming down, but there were plenty of places to step aside and keep the distance needed to maintain safe separation. It was a beautiful day and although we wished the hike could have been longer, the views were stunning.  

If you have hiked Pilot Butte State Park in the past and want to experience a d...

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Bend Oregon Home Sellers Have Options

In this never before seen world with the coronavirus pandemic changing how we live our lives, having options on how buyers can tour a home is invaluable. At Bend Premier Real Estate, we invested as a brokerage in Matterport 3D two years ago. We currently own two cameras complete with all the set ups required and have two videographers trained to film these tours. 

For our sellers, the benefit of having buyers virtually walking through their home enables us to screen through buyers for whom the house may not work - all without physically being there. For buyers, the opportunity to view the home in 3D can help them determine if that property makes their top list and eliminates time and work in viewing homes which are not a good fit.  T...

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