News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 235 - 259 of 363
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
The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters is sponsoring a benefit concert performance by Oregon singer and songwriter Lindy Gravelle on Thursday, October 7. The benefit is for the Every Dollar Feeds Kids (EDFK) charity and focuses on a ministry to hungry children in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Gravelle brings her popular country-rooted music, with its unique blend of pop, rock, swing and blues. The concert is completely free. Since the costs of the event have already... Full story
Whychus Creek's largest irrigation diversion is getting an extreme makeover. As the end of this year's irrigation season draws near, the Three Sisters Irrigation District's (TSID) water conservation piping project is moving into its next phase. At the beginning of September, all of Whychus Creek was redirected around the irrigation diversion site, leaving a thousand feet of the main channel completely dry. The main stem's through-flow water is being redirected to a downstream... Full story
Iron Mountain is another one of those hikes that often gets short shrift because you're more likely to speed by it than stop to hike it. Tucked away beside Tombstone Pass, this hike offers a genuine mountaintop experience, even though it's somewhat removed from the Cascade crest and requires no mountaineering skills. There are four Iron Mountains listed in McArthur's book of Oregon Geographic Names, yet this isn't one of them. Further, this peak is higher than any of those... Full story
The Hackleman Creek Old-Growth Trail has a unique feature that is not shared by many trails in our area: it is wheelchair accessible. A significant portion of this trail system is hard-packed gravel and is specifically designed for wheelchairs. The trailhead parking area is paved and large enough to accommodate multiple recreational vehicles; it also has a restroom. If you know of someone who is wheelchair-bound and misses the opportunity to get out into the woods, this may be... Full story
Most local hikers seem to be familiar with Wasco Lake only by virtue of a trail sign pointing away from the much more popular Canyon Creek Meadows loop trail. In reality, Wasco Lake is a nice little destination itself. The trail takes off from the Jack Lake Trailhead; it's relatively easy and is less than a five-mile round trip. Instead of following the recommended clockwise loop to Canyon Creek Meadows, take the counterclockwise direction when the trail forks in the vicinity... Full story
Here is a great little hike just off Highway 20. Although I've frequently driven by this trailhead, I had never before stopped to check it out. In fact, on average, I pass it about 20 times a year on my way to the coast or OSU Beaver football games. This is the Echo Basin Trail between Santiam and Tombstone Passes. The Echo Basin Trail works its way up Echo Mountain to the headwaters of Echo Creek. A narrow, but good, gravel road trims two miles and several hundred vertical... Full story
You've probably heard the hackneyed old tale of the answer to a confused traveler's query for directions, "You can't get there from here." Actually, it usually sounds more like, "You cain't get they-ah from hee-yah," and is most often attributed to old codgers in Maine. Moraine Lake is nothing like that; there are lots of ways to get there. Moraine Lake can be reached from Devil's Lake, the Green Lakes Trailhead, the Mirror Lake Trailhead, the Wickiup Plain Trail, and - if you... Full story
Every now and then, I'm asked to recommend a hike for people who aren't hikers. Maybe the in-laws are visiting from Florida, or maybe it's your old high school friend whose idea of a hike is when you're stuck with a distant parking space at the shopping mall. In any event, there are places where you can share the Central Oregon outdoor experience without making your guests feel like they're on a Himalayan expedition. Two of my favorites are the trail to the Head of Jack Creek... Full story
Most of us travel over Santiam Pass on a fairly regular basis, and we've seen the devastation caused by the 2003 B&B Fire. However, it's now been seven years since nearly 100,000 acres were blackened in that fire, and the forest's recovery is interesting to observe. To fully appreciate what is happening in the burn, it's necessary to see it up close. A good way to do that is to hike from Santiam Pass to Square Lake. This is a relatively short hike, at less than 2.5 miles each... Full story
