Running commentary...

Summer is in full swing and the weather has been fine for hitting the trails around Sisters.

In last month's column I invited readers to share some of their favorite running area and got some positive responses to share.

The Peterson Ridge Trail is well-used by locals and provides all the distance a runner might desire. Common routes include an out-and-back from the Buck Run trailhead to the first bridge (three miles), the Eagle Rock Loop that proceeds past the bridge and includes a fun single-track along the water canal (five miles) and the entire Peterson Ridge Loop, that is just under 16 miles round trip.

This trail begins at the corner of Elm Street and Tyee Drive and includes maps and trail markers. It is my experience that morning is the best time for running if you want to avoid mountain bikers.

Doug Green wrote in with some of his favorites, including the Suttle Tie Trail which can be done as an out-and-back 11-miler or a 5.5-mile, one-way run.

Some locals run up from the trailhead that begins at George McAllister Road (across Highway 20 from the road to Camp Sherman) and treat themselves to a dip in Suttle Lake at the top. The top of the trail is adjacent to the information area located just off the highway on the road to Suttle Lake.

Ambitious runners may want to circle the lake, which is an additional 3.2 miles.

The Mathieu Lakes loop, which is accessed near the summit of McKenzie Highway, is another favorite of Doug's as well as my own.

The six-mile loop into the wilderness provides a great hill workout with the reward of two beautiful mountain lakes and a fun downhill back to the trail head. The road, closed during the week due to construction, is open to pedestrians on the weekends.

You may need to check with the Sisters Ranger District for updates on whether you can get to the trail head at Lava Camp Lake or not. You may have to wait until after Labor Day for this one.

Though it is a bit of a drive, the McKenzie River Trail is close enough to consider for a run on the west side of the Cascades. This scenic 26-mile trail begins just above Clear Lake, which is about 35 miles from Sisters, and ends downstream near Paradise Campground.

Running point-to-point requires some transportation logistics, but affords dramatic scenic variations. You can travel along the deep blue waters of Clear Lake and make it to Sahalie Falls in the first four miles.

Continue down the trail to Carmen Reservoir and another three miles beyond and experience the unparalleled beauty of turquoise-blue Tamolitch Pool, set among a rugged lava foundation. Within two miles downstream of Tamolitch Pool you leave the lava behind and enter lush forest with undulating trails along the river.

Maps and other information about the trail are available at the Willlamette National Forest Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/willamette/recreation.

The Sisters High School cross country team traverses the entire trail each summer during its annual team raft trip and it works out for all levels of runners.

Readers are invited to contribute additional favorite running trails for future publication. E-mail me at [email protected]

More running opportunities:

The high school cross country team invites runners of all ages for informal runs Monday and Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. from the Buck Run trail. In addition, for those wanting to do some speed work, runners are meeting at the high school track on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. for a workout loosely directed by local coaches.