McKenzie Pass open for bikers and hikers

The McKenzie Pass on Highway 242 west of Sisters is open to bikers, hikers and walkers but is still a few weeks away from being open to cars and recreation vehicles.

The pass has bare pavement but Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance crews still require more snowmelt to work in the area. ODOT crews will trim brush along the roadway, remove rocks, repair signs, and remove dead trees before opening the highway to vehicle traffic.

Bikers, hikers and walkers are allowed to use the highway at this time but they should be aware of ODOT maintenance crews working in the area.

Due to an unstable slope on the west side ODOT may decide to open only from Sisters eastside to the summit until repairs on the west side can be accomplished.

Weather permitting the pass could be open for all traffic from Sisters to the summit just prior to Memorial Day with the entire route to be open sometime in early June.