News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 226 - 250 of 363
Over the last several weeks, the Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) has begun introducing the public to the newest acquisition in its lineup of protected conservation lands in the Deschutes Basin. Since it was established in 1995 to accommodate the donation of a 145-acre portion of Indian Ford Meadow, the land trust has been responsible for the preservation of 8,200 acres of land in Central Oregon - with even more planned. The new Whychus Canyon Preserve is a previously unprotected... Full story
For years, the loop trail around the edge of Suttle Lake has suffered significant damage from erosion and heavy traffic. Because the lake is popular for fishing and boating and is surrounded by campgrounds, a resort, youth camps, and a host of other recreational opportunities, the trail is one of the most heavily used in the Sisters Ranger District. Because the trail hugs the shoreline so closely, there isn't much vegetation to hold the soils in place; and the constant... Full story
The lingering heavy snowpack in the high country has set me to looking about for early season hiking alternatives. One such hike recently came to my attention; and, although I am tempted to classify it as an urban hike, it still offers a welcome alternative to a steady diet of hiking in the desert country. At the western edge of Bend, Shevlin Park sports a completely snow-free venue for hiking, along with a beautiful stream and towering conifer trees. Guide books list the loop... Full story
The Forest Service has completed improvements to a number of trails in the Sisters area, with more to come. Improved trails and those seeing upgrades in the near future are in popular, heavy-use, non-wilderness sections of the Sisters Ranger District. Kirk Flannigan is the Forest Service's local team leader for Recreation, Heritage, Lands & Minerals. He is pleased with steps being taken to improve experiences for local trail users. "We're already doing the planning for replacing or adding structures along the Metolius... Full story
A recent visitor to the Deschutes Land Trust's Camp Polk Meadow Preserve remarked that Whychus Creek and the Mississippi River have something in common: They were both channelized to control flooding. Today the Land Trust is undoing some of that work by restoring sections of Whychus Creek to its historic condition. In the case of the Mississippi, flood control and navigational issues were the principal concerns that resulted in alteration of the natural landscape. Navigation h... Full story
The Episcopal Church's Transfiguration Choir is only a month away from its choral tour of Ireland, and the choir plans to serenade Sisters in a "dress rehearsal" of the musical selections to be performed on tour. Concertgoers will be offered a choice of free afternoon or evening performances on Saturday, May 21. Two years ago, the Transfiguration Choir conducted a European tour with performances at nine venues in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. That trip was such a success that the choir will soon be headed back acr... Full story
The Sisters Chorale, the community's performing choir, will perform two free public concerts this weekend on Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14. The selections to be performed will mark a significant departure from the choir's more traditional and classical themes of the past. Two-thirds of the concert bill is evenly divided between gospel and patriotic themes. Patriotic selections include an unusual and stirring arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Also to be performed are "This Is My Country," and the... Full story
In most of my hiking columns, I encourage readers to try new experiences and new places, but not this time. This expedition involved precipitous cliffs, rockslides, dense thickets, rattlesnakes, ticks, thorns, dead-end routes, strenuous climbing, extensive steep hillside traverses, and constant alertness for the source of the copious mountain lion sign. When we finished this endurance contest, I wasn't sure if what we felt was a sense of accomplishment or just relief. Having c... Full story
Although the weather finally seems to be on a warmer trend, the snow is still six to eight feet deep at pass levels, which leaves a continuing window of opportunity for spring cross-country skiing. Lower-elevation trails are beginning to shed their snow, but the high elevations remain completely buried and are likely to remain so for some time. It's easy for an outdoor enthusiast to feel conflicted during this overlap of seasons. Even though I've already enjoyed several hikes... Full story
Something new has been added to the outdoor recreation menu at Suttle Lake. In an effort to provide a variety of outdoor experiences, the Forest Service has provided and established yurts at selected campgrounds. Link Creek Campground at the west end of Suttle Lake is one of those to be selected. Last year, a regional Forest Service representative broached the idea with Chuck Shepard of Hoodoo Recreation Services. Hoodoo manages campgrounds under a contract with the Forest... Full story
The long-awaited high-tech fish screen on Whychus Creek is nearly ready to assume its status as a state-of-the-art facilitator of salmon and steelhead restoration in this portion of the Deschutes Basin. For more than a century, local streams have been tapped for irrigation water destined for the region's agricultural needs. While beneficial to agriculture, irrigation hasn't always been so kind to the area's fish. Reduced stream flow has resulted in warmer, less healthy fish... Full story
Three Sisters Irrigation District (TSID) originally hoped to begin their irrigation season on schedule last Friday, but unexpected problems have delayed the current phase of their landmark water conservation piping project. "It's unfortunate that we've been delayed," said TSID manager Marc Thalacker. "We've had a very snowy winter and some construction delays as a result; but it's important to finish the pipeline and fish screen before we begin irrigation season." Thalacker... Full story
A YouTube video circulating among local ski patrol members warns of the danger of tree wells. Tree wells form around the bases of evergreen trees when overhanging limbs interfere with the natural deposition of falling snow. The opening created around the tree trunk then partially fills with loose, unconsolidated snow. These cavities can swallow a person in an instant. Such an accident can be compounded by snow adhering to overhanging limbs, which will often be dislodged on impact, further burying the victim. Survival chances... Full story
When April arrived last week, the weather practically demanded that it was time to hike. So, on the year's first 70-degree day, with snow still blanketing the high country, we set our sights on the extremely modest goal of visiting Steelhead Falls on the middle Deschutes River near Crooked River Ranch. Actually, Steelhead Falls is one of those destinations that is accessible pretty much all year; and, often when the weather is inclement in Sisters, conditions will be much... Full story
After an unusually long mid-winter thaw compacted the season's early snowpack in the mountains, a steady stream of storms has piled up several feet of newer snow that could pose an avalanche hazard to backcountry travelers. Potential problems can exist on any snow-covered slope, but some slope and snow conditions present greater potential danger. Gabe Chladek, of Three Sisters Backcountry, lives in Sisters and operates the facilities for the Oregon Avalanche Institute and is... Full story
Sisters has quite a few hardcore hikers who sometimes seem to look askance at my winter diversion from hiking to winter sports, but I like to play in the snow. While the intended tone in the book of Ecclesiastes is more somber than my use here, the words nevertheless apply, "To everything there is a season...." And this is the winter season - at least for a few more days. If you're going out into deep, soft, untracked snow on foot, there is really only one way to do it.... Full story
During the summer, hikers, equestrians, and cyclists learn to accommodate each other and share the trails. When snow covers the ground, some of the same factors come into play; but winter competition for trail use is usually among nordic skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers. The rules for winter trail use, however, are essentially the same as in summer and can be summed up quite simply: common sense and courtesy. "Winter trail use is increasing," said Forest Service Trails Specialist Chris Sabo. In fact, he estimates that... Full story
Last week, Three Sisters Irrigation District began pouring concrete for the new fish screen that will play a key role role in salmon and steelhead restoration on upper Whychus Creek. Marc Thalacker, TSID Manager, said that the pouring of the 140-foot slab is complete, and construction of the vertical walls should be finished this week. "A company called Specialty Metal Fabricators will be coming from Portland the first week in March to start installing the metal screen," said... Full story
Tightwad Tuesdays at Hoodoo Mountain Resort are intended to give skiers a little more fun for less money once each week. Last week, however, about a dozen tightwad skiers got a lot more excitement for their money when they were evacuated from the chairlift using an emergency rope system. "It's something we train for but hope to never do," said Hoodoo General Manager Matthew McFarland. "It doesn't happen more than about once every five years." Last week's heavy snowstorm brought two and a half feet of snow to Hoodoo in just a... Full story
Hardly a week goes by without someone asking me what I'm doing for hiking now that it's winter. There certainly are plenty of winter hiking opportunities in and around Sisters, but, frankly, my heart isn't in it. This is supposed to be the time for winter sports. Besides, I prefer the high mountain trails, and those are definitely snowed in. Knowing that I'm an avid alpine skier, my hiking buddy asked if I was also a cross country skier. I tentatively replied that I was, and... Full story
The Sisters Chorale, a local community performing choir, began its new season of rehearsals leading up to their annual spring concerts, scheduled for May 13-14. The singers recently returned from a break after performing Christmas concerts before record crowds at Sisters Community Church. More than 600 Sisters area residents attended the two concerts, with over 400 of those attending on Sunday afternoon. As reflected by the rapidly growing attendance figures, the twice-yearly... Full story
For $5 and a little effort, a local Christmas tree hunt in the Deschutes National Forest is within easy reach for Sisters area residents. Many Central Oregonians have made an annual excursion into the area's forests a traditional family event. Since many of the most desirable trees are at slightly higher elevations, this is also an excuse to get out and play in the snow. While snow is already piling up at the higher elevations, many lower portions of the Cascade slopes... Full story
In a holiday tradition that now dates back 20 years, Sisters singers will enrich the community's holiday season with free Christmas concerts on Friday, December 10, and Sunday, December 12. Under the direction of Irene Liden, the Sisters Chorale, a community chorus of 58 singers, will perform a mix of classical, contemporary, gospel, and traditional Christmas music. The concert begins with "On This Day Earth Shall Ring," a medieval carol first published in 1582. The piece... Full story
Sisters artist Kit Stafford has created an "art installation" and is inviting the public to have a look. She explained that an installation differs from an exhibit in that it is created for the space. "This was done without attachments, without an audience in mind," she said. "I definitely saw it like this, went toward it, and went where it took me. It wasn't created with a sale in mind." Stafford's little room at the top of the stairs in Sisters Art Works is all decked out in... Full story
When, in 1810, the Crown Prince of Bavaria celebrated his marriage with a festival and horse race, he certainly had no inkling that 200 years later the event would be commemorated in Sisters, Oregon, half a world away. In fact, the event is celebrated as "Oktoberfest" in countless venues throughout the world, including such unlikely places as Hong Kong, Viet Nam, and Pakistan. The first celebration was such a success that Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) reprised the occasi... Full story
