News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 363
Back in January, I reported on Hoodoo's lower Nordic trail system, which I have skied a number of times. It wasn't until last month, however, that I finally got around to skiing Hoodoo's outback on the upper Nordic trail system and enjoying its beautiful mountain views. Readers who follow my outdoor columns may recall that, while I have certainly been enjoying cross-country skiing lately, I lay no claim to any lofty level of expertise. As a result, I have always scrupulously... Full story
Not all backcountry ski touring involves long distances or wild, remote terrain. Here's a little excursion that is short, pretty easy, and readily accessible. There are a number of ways to reach the North Blowout Shelter, just south of Santiam Pass. The most commonly traveled route is from the Ray Benson Sno-Park. We decided to take a slightly different approach and avoid some of the more heavily trafficked, and often icy, ruts that sometimes accumulate near the popular... Full story
One of the lesser-known hazards of snow country travel is the danger posed by tree wells. Tree wells form around the bases of evergreen trees when overhanging limbs interfere with the natural deposition of falling snow, and the resulting cavities can be deadly. When a uniform blanket of snow is disrupted by tree limbs, the opening created around the tree trunk can partially fill with loose, unconsolidated snow. Like quicksand, these cavities can swallow a person in an... Full story
Children and staff from Black Butte School (BBS) in Camp Sherman celebrated 40 years of partnership with Hoodoo ski schools by dedicating a 1,200-square-foot wall mural in Hoodoo's ski lodge. The mural was completed by BBS students last year with the talent and supervision of BBS's health and physical education specialist, Stephanie Blakelock. Hoodoo's general manager, Matthew McFarland, welcomed the students, parents and staff gathered to mark the occasion and thanked the school for the mural. Directing his remarks... Full story
What images are usually associated with elementary school PE classes? Children's games? Foot races? Dodgeball? Children at most schools have their physical education classes in a gym or on a playground. Camp Sherman's Black Butte School (BBS), however, has a PE program that sounds more like a fantasy camp. As befits a community carved out of the Cascade forest, the little two-room schoolhouse in the woods takes full advantage of its surrounding environment. As might be expected at an elementary school, the BBS PE program... Full story
Okay, it's a stretch to say that I've finally found a silver lining to the awful wildfire destruction of our local forests; but I recently discovered something not-so-awful about the whole mess. Still, I'm firmly in the camp of those who have been nearly despondent over having most of my high-country wilderness playgrounds go up in flames over the last several years. Until now, though, I've been hard-pressed to find anything positive amidst all the destruction. Until now. On... Full story
Just because the high-country trails are buried in snow doesn't mean that the high country is closed. In fact, the Deschutes National Forest Trails office continues to publish trail updates designed for winter outdoor enthusiasts. The recent plentiful snow and sunshine have made this January a great time to get out and explore the woods. Although I'm more likely to be found on the alpine slopes, my skiing buddy has been trying to gradually expand my horizons a little further... Full story
Sisters bridge players are looking for a few good card players. Actually, they don't have to be very good at all. Or even players. "We're willing to help people brush up on their skills if they haven't played in a while," said bridge enthusiast Ardie Winters. "We'll even give lessons to interested people who haven't played before." Susan Sandberg is the current organizer for the group, which meets every Thursday afternoon at the Pines Clubhouse. "We play a very low-key... Full story
As our weather becomes more wintry and hiking opportunities continue to dwindle, the Lower Whychus Creek trail comes to mind as an excellent hike for almost any time of the year. Also, if you choose to hike this popular local trail in the next ten days, your hike will be four miles shorter than if you wait until December! Effective December 1 through March 31, the access road to that corner of the Crooked River National Grassland is closed to motor vehicles. That doesn't mean... Full story
At only 2,200 feet of elevation, the hike to beautiful, deep aqua-blue Tamolitch Pool is an excellent "shoulder season" hike. According to Forest Service information, it is open "most" of the year; more to the point, it is often snow-free well into December. It's not one of the better-known hikes in our area, but, at only a little over four miles round-trip, it's one of the easiest and most rewarding. It is also one of the most puzzling. From all appearances, this is where... Full story
This time of year, we never know exactly when snowfall will shut the door on the high country. It hasn't happened quite yet; and, at just over 5,000 feet, Mowich Lake isn't extremely high. So, last week, we headed out on an 8.8-mile round trip to Mowich Lake under the "possible threat of a few light showers." From the parking area, the trail to Mowich Lake plunges into a beautiful, dense, westside mixed-conifer forest. Huge trees with tall, clean, and straight trunks lend the... Full story
If you've been despairing of a waning hiking season, take heart! The hiking season isn't over yet; and, as the Pole Creek Fire continues to burn itself out, there are still excellent fall hiking opportunities to be enjoyed. So far, we've had beautiful fall days, and even the high country trails remain snow-free. One of Central Oregon's best places for fall hiking and fall colors lies just over Santiam Pass at Clear Lake. Only a half-hour away, Clear Lake offers some of the mos... Full story
In the never-ending quest to find trails that are not burned over, enveloped in smoke, or currently in flames, why not try the upper McKenzie River for an excellent forest trail and beautiful waterfalls. This superb hike is only slightly more than half an hour from Sisters and is in a convenient spot that Duck fans routinely fly by on their way to Eugene. Further, at an elevation that is below 3,000 feet, this hike is one that usually remains snow-free well into November and... Full story
While the Pole Creek Fire has been severely disruptive in the Sisters Country, it has not devastated the forest. While areas of dead timber burned intensely, much of the forest experienced an "underburn" that was much less destructive. Pole Creek Fire officials met with well over a hundred Sisters area residents on Sunday to provide an update on the status of the fire. Incident Commander, Brian Watts, provided some specific information on the fire's behavior and its impact on certain landmarks in the area. As of Sunday, he... Full story
With much of our local hiking area in flames yet again - and considering a steady deluge of news reports about air quality and health concerns, it's easy to be discouraged about outdoor opportunities. This past weekend, though, we selected a nice quiet forest walk along Jack Creek where there was no smoke. Although overshadowed by the larger and better-known Headwaters of the Metolius, the birthplace of Jack Creek possesses the same kind of mystique. At Jack Creek, however, it... Full story
Because it's on the other side of Bend, it's easy for Newberry Crater to be off the radar screen for those of us with mountain wonders of our own to enjoy here in Sisters. Occasionally, though, it's nice to investigate areas that we might otherwise overlook. It's been 22 years since Newberry National Volcanic Monument was added to the National Park System, and I'm willing to bet that there are more than a few Sisters residents who still haven't bothered to check out this sceni... Full story
Volunteers will put the final touches on a new hiking trail slated for completion on Black Butte next week - except the new trail is actually kind of old. For many years, Camp Sherman residents and other locals have scoffed at the idea of starting a Black Butte climb from the "official" mid-mountain trailhead. Instead, they have started from the base and ascended all of the landmark cinder-cone's 3,200-plus vertical feet of climbing opportunity. Black Butte has been used as a... Full story
The Sisters High Desert Chorale will soon reconvene for its fall term, in preparation for holiday concerts in December. To mark the end of their summer hiatus, however, their first order of business was to meet for an informal potluck dinner last week. The community choir organization has been a part of the Sisters musical community and local holiday celebrations for more than 20 years, and the group is actively encouraging new members to participate. All interested singers... Full story
For some time now, the popularity of Pamelia Lake has caused it to be designated a high-use area in the Detroit Ranger District, with entry allowed on a special permit basis only. That is not about to change. What is changing, however, is that "probably" starting next year, Detroit will switch to online permits, which will cost $6 each. At present, although the number of permits is limited, the permits are still free. The Obsidian Trail, just over McKenzie Pass, has already... Full story
I've been to Marion Lake multiple times; but, for some reason, I had never taken the easy, and more traditional, route. This time, however, we opted for the more relaxing hike. Even with a little sightseeing, this hike is only a six-mile round-trip, with a little less than 800 feet in elevation gain; although we added on a couple of extra miles of exploration. The trail starts out in a dense and beautiful mixed-conifer forest. The trail here is excellent and so wide we were ab... Full story
This was about as long a day-hike as I ever hope to make. A friend proposed the idea because she had just finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) segments from southern Oregon to McKenzie Pass, and from Santiam Pass to the Columbia River. Because of a scheduling glitch, she had missed that "short" middle piece between the local passes; and she wanted to be able to claim all of the Oregon PCT in the same year. As it turned out, it was a good thing we went when we did,... Full story
As a native Oregonian, I am kind of embarrassed to admit that I'd never been to Silver Falls State Park before this visit. Literally hundreds of times, I've sped on by the highway exit signs for Silver Falls, each time thinking that I need to check it out one of these days. The problem is that whenever I was rocketing past the exit, I was always rushing to or from somewhere else. So, to put an end to this madness, I decided it was time to make Silver Falls the actual destinati... Full story
On August 23 of last year, a friend proposed that we hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from McKenzie Pass to Santiam Pass. As much time as I'd spent in both areas, I had never actually connected the dots between the two. It was a long, hard hike; but we successfully covered a lot of country I'd been anxious to explore. Five days later, the Shadow Lake Fire was ignited by a lightning strike, and that trail was closed for the rest of the hiking season. The fire was initially... Full story
I've known about the Tam-a-lau Trail in Cove Palisades State Park at Lake Billy Chinook. I've seen it, driven by it, even kayaked below it; but until recently, I'd never actually hiked it. As it turns out, this trail has a story to tell. The name, Tam-a-lau, comes from a Native American term that means "place of big rocks on the ground"; and there are plenty of big rocks here. In fact, the entire park has a way of bringing out the inner geologist in visitors. The trail opened... Full story
In recent months, the Deschutes Land Trust's extensive Camp Polk Meadow restoration has captivated the public interest and grabbed most of the attention. However, late last year, just before the calendar rolled over to 2012, the Land Trust quietly made an important addition to the organization's land holdings in the same area. Sitting right on Whychus Creek and snuggled between Camp Polk Road and the Land Trust's existing Camp Polk Meadow Preserve are six acres of... Full story
