News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 185 - 209 of 363
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
Scout Miller first saw the musical "1776" when she was a little girl, and has always loved it. So, when she learned that an all-female concert version was to be performed locally, her first thought was: "They're going to do it in Bend! I'll definitely get tickets." Her mother, however, had a different idea and suggested that she audition for a chance to actually be part of the show. And that's how this Sisters-area teen found herself slated to play - and sing - the part of... Full story
There's a new trail in town! Close to town, anyway. Although I still catch myself calling it Squaw Creek, a name change doesn't alter the fact that I've been wandering this stretch of Whychus Creek for the last half-century. As a result, I was unprepared for the pleasant and surprising new trail that awaited me just four miles south of town. The three-mile trail covers some very familiar ground but opens up plenty of new country, as well. The first mile explores some of my... Full story
"It was a free-for-all out there." That's how Maret Pajutee, U.S. Forest Service Ecologist for the Sisters Ranger District, described what was happening to the upper reaches of Whychus Creek south of Sisters. Heavy use of the stream corridor was taking a toll on Whychus Creek, one of Sisters' most popular nearby natural attractions. Networks of informal user trails honeycombed some areas, and unmaintained dirt roads spawned garbage dumping, vandalism, graffiti, erosion, and... Full story
The Suttle Tie Trail is a pleasant five-mile (one-way) walk in the woods. I'd never hiked it before simply because it seemed too close to the main highway. I wasn't wrong about the annoying proximity to the road noise from Highway 20, but it turned out to be a very nice and easy hike through an attractive forest ecosystem. This route also forms an important leg in a trail system that interconnects Sisters, Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman, and Suttle Lake. By piecing together... Full story
The Sisters High Desert Chorale, the community's performing choir, will perform two free public concerts this weekend on Friday, May 4, and Sunday, May 6. The choir has been rehearsing this year's choral pieces since February, with the women putting in extra time for three special selections for which the male singers will take a break and be part of the audience. The women will be performing two mountain ballads arranged by Ron Nelson, "He's Gone Away" and "Will He Remember?"... Full story
The popular Alder Springs Trail north of Sisters has a very different look this year. Last September, a 1,600-acre wildfire burned its way through the heart of the Crooked River National Grassland, leaving a significantly changed landscape in its wake. Trailside fire damage is most obvious along the stretch of trail that descends into Whychus Canyon north of the trailhead. Much of the hillside along that portion of the trail is thoroughly burned. Looking across and beyond the... Full story
Fresh from hiking the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, last month, it's only natural that I've developed a hankering to get the local hiking season underway. Still, with the high country trails deeply buried in snow, it is necessary to consider areas outside some of the usual haunts. The Lone Pine Trail, part of the Otter Bench Trail System at the north end of Crooked River Ranch, is one such area that is accessible pretty much all year. In fact, my hiking buddy and I checked... Full story
Sisters backpacker Paula Berry is hosting a get-together for local backpackers next week at Sisters Athletic Club. "This is just an informal chance for all of us who like to backpack to meet and share ideas and stories and to learn about the latest in lightweight backpacking technology," said Berry. "I would also like to invite people who are thinking about backpacking and want to learn more. "A 50-pound pack is not necessary these days, although it's definitely up to the... Full story
The producer of the musical "1776" is looking to make a revolutionary contribution to the performing arts in Central Oregon. David Simpson, president of Shore Thing Productions, is presenting "1776" in concert this summer. Simpson explained that the plot line for the musical focuses on the American Revolutionary War period and the heated debates among the members of the Second Continental Congress that led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The cast of characters for the show includes all the usual... Full story
