Posts in category 'Why We Love Central Oregon'

We enjoy hiking the various trails accessed via McKenzie Pass (Hwy 242) while it is open during the warmer months. One trail we attempted the first time a year ago but didn't complete due to freezing temperatures was Belknap Crater. The trailhead is located just past the Observatory and traverses a section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The unique topography of this hike passes through two wooded "islands" which survived the recent (last 1000 years) volcanic eruption of Little Belknap Crater and provide for shade in this otherwise exposed terrain. Past the last island, the hike climbs onto twisted, rugged lava complete with lava bombs, pressure ridges, lava tubes, and of course, the two peaks which were the origin of the miles of lava the hike takes trekkers through. Good footwear is essential as is a good hat in this exposed landscape and we do not recommend dogs due to the rough ground which can cut their paws. We delayed this hike until it was cooler in order to avoid the high temperatures which a sunny summer day can generate on the exposed black and red rock.

The hike is not too difficult with 1100 feet of elevation gain to reach the top of Little Belknap Crater in roughly 2.6 miles. But once we enjoyed the views from the top of Little Belknap, we elected to continue on past the lava fields and tackle the steep hike up Belknap Crater.  This additional trek averages a 17% grade with a maximum grade of 49% in under a mile and a total of 737 feet in additional elevation. Belknap Crater does not have the rough lava surface of Little Belknap, but rather a smoother pumice and dirt surface with its older topography supporting plants and trees. We enjoyed the views before returning the way we had come.  All in all, this hike was less than 8 miles round trip, but did provide for fabulous views of Mt. Washington, North and Middle Sister, and The Husband. 

OkCancel

After a month of terrible, hazardous air due to smoke from several forest fires settling in the Bend Oregon area, on Saturday, 9-11-21, Central Oregonians were thrilled to experience clean air as the bad air dissipated and the normal sparkling blue skies of September returned. We had planned on hiking Green Lakes on 9-11 as part of the series of scheduled hikes we had set up in April due to the newly implemented 2021 Wilderness permit system.  However, we were ready to cancel if the air quality was as it had been the Saturday before - extremely hazardous with limited visibility and health recommendations to stay indoors. As we drove up Century Drive towards the Green Lakes trailhead, the remaining smoke in the area was evident until we passed Widgi Creek and all of a sudden, the skies were blue rather than grey and the smell of smoke disappeared. The Green Lakes Trailhead had just a few cars and our 4.5 mile trip up Fall Creek with its numerous waterfalls to Green Lakes was extremely private with us seeing just a handful of people.

Upon reaching Green Lakes, we were amazed at the almost perfect weather conditions for photography with the air still and all 3 lakes mirroring the mountains and early fall foliage around them. We extended our hike past the northern most Green Lake over the saddle between Broken Top and South Sister and on to Golden Lake, extending our hike to between 16 and 17 miles total.  After lunch we returned the via the route we had arrived, thoroughly enjoying the beauty of the Three Sisters Wilderness and the clean air. This is a wonderful hike to a lovely location and is highly recommended.

 Very Few People But Amazing Views Over Every Hill

We hiked the Obsidian Trail for the first time last year and really enjoyed the beauty of this trail which starts in the Willamette National Forest and traverses through the Three Sisters Wilderness. The photos do not replicate the interesting experience of sunlight reflecting off the sharp obsidian pebbles and larger stones seen in portions of the hike.

Our hike on August 7, 2021 started with smoke filled air blowing in from the Willamette Valley and Washington State. During the course of the hike we had varying degrees of smoke impacting our views and breathing, but the air quality got progressively better as the day wore on. We repeated the hike from last year, but once we reached the Glacial Way trail which loops back to the Obsidian Trail close to White Branch Creek, we elected to continue on north on the Pacific Crest Trail to Collier Cone from which, we had read, wonderful views of Collier Glacier on North Sister would be visible. But once we reached the cut off for the glacier, we elected instead to continue on to Scott Trail traveling north on PCT.  This stretch of the PCT traverses through fascinating volcanic areas to the west and north of Middle and North Sister and then eventually drops into a lovely meadow in which Scott Trail intersects.  Scott Trail has a branch off to Four in One Cone which we didn't take (but hope to sometime soon) and eventually brings hikers back to Hwy 242 (trail maps show a direct path from Scott Trail to the Obsidian Trailhead, but it was closed for restoration). We hiked on the shoulder of the highway 1/2 mile back to the parking lot by the Obsidian Trailhead.  All in all, we estimate we did in excess of 17 miles and roughly 3400 feet of elevation gain, but it was through such an amazing area of Central Oregon that we had never experienced. The few people we met along the way, mostly on the PCT, were backpackers and once we started on Scott Trail, we saw no one else. People looking for a shorter trip can do the Obsidian Trail loop we did last year (under 12 miles) or travel Scott Trail to Four in One Cone (just under 9 miles round trip). 

We hope to come back soon to this beautiful section of the Three Sisters and Mt. Washington Wildernesses to experience additional hikes. There is still much to explore.

We have lived in Bend Oregon since 1985 and have hiked to Tumalo Falls and beyond many times. This lovely waterfall, located not far from Bend's westside, also is in the Bend Municipal Watershed where the majority of Bend's water comes from. Most tourists hike the 1/4 mile from the parking lot to the view point at the top the falls. But for those who are willing to continue hiking past Tumalo Falls on the trail toward Happy Valley, the rewards of many additional waterfalls are well worth the effort.

On July 31, 2021, we hiked the alternate route to Happy Valley, traveling up North Fork Trail #24, climbing 1300 feet to the Junction of trails 370 and 4601 and from there to Happy Valley. Happy Valley has changed a lot over the years we have hiked there.  What used to be a remote location has become a stopping point for many mountain bikers with trails converging there.  If hikers travel this route, they need to be aware of bikers on the trail and be prepared to step off to allow the bikers room to safely pass.  

From Happy Valley traveling down the loop back to the viewpoint at the top of Tumalo Falls, people can stop at multiple waterfalls which have such inspiring names as Middle Fork Tumalo Falls, Lower Middle Fork Tumalo Falls,  Lower North Fork Tumalo Falls and Double Falls.  These names do not do justice to the beauty of some of these waterfalls. They are great places to stop, have lunch on the creekbanks, and watch the flowing water.

If you take the long way around up North Fork Trail #24, you will climb a bit over 1300 feet, mostly in the first 3 miles, and the full hike will be just short of 10 miles.

The Destination is Far Better Than the Hike There

To reach Camp Lake, part of the Chambers Lakes in the Three Sisters Wilderness, hikers starting at the Pole Creek Trailhead have to trek trough 4 miles of dead trees, the result of 2012's Pole Creek Fire. We did this hike July 24, 2021 and it was a warm day. Despite the heat and the dry conditions, we saw some interesting things along the way, among them what we believe was a young Red Tailed Hawk sitting in one of the burned trees as it scouted the area for rodents. We also had fun crossing the North Fork of Whychus Creek as it flows out of Diller Glacier on Middle Sister.

The remaining 3 mile trek to Camp Lake is in alpine wooded areas with fabulous views of Middle and North Sister. Just before reaching Camp Lake, the views open and South Sister becomes the main mountain visible, towering over Camp Lake.  When we arrived midday, we were the only people at the lake. We enjoyed the solitude, soaking our feet in the lake, having lunch and relaxing before starting the 7 mile hike back to the Pole Creek Trailhead. Most people who hike this trail will spend the night in the area, perhaps hiking an additional mile to the more distant Chambers Lakes. For us, it was a full day with 14 miles round trip, 2700 feet elevation gain, and warm weather.  If you plan on taking this hike in the summer, be sure to bring plenty of water.