| Governor Kulongoski's Recommended Hikes |
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| Central Oregon |
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Mt. Bachelor
Directions: Drive west on Cascade Lakes Highway for approximately 18 miles to Mt. Bachelor’s first entrance at Sunrise Lodge. The trail to the top of Mt. Bachelor starts from the Sunrise Lodge area.
Length: 5 miles
The Hike: This trail takes you to the top of Mt. Bachelor, where you a beautiful panoramic view the surrounding area, which includes the Three Sisters, Broken Mountain, Moraine Lake, the city of Bend, and many other sites.
Moraine Lake
Directions: From Cascade Lakes Highway, turn south at the sign for Devil’s Lake. Park and look for the South Sister climber trail.
Length: 4.5 miles
The Hike: You start off on the trail which ascends the South Sister and veer to the right toward Moraine Lake after about 1.5 miles. (You can choose to continue to the South Sister, but it is much longer and more steep.) The trail is steep—you climb roughly 2,000 feet in elevation—but Moraine Lake is well worth the effort. You are right at the base of the Three Sisters, and the water is a gorgeous turquoise.
Peter Skene Ogden Trail
Directions: From Highway 97, turn east on Forest Road 21 at the signs to Newberry Volcano. Turn at the sign for the sign for the Ogden Group Camp; follow the signs to the trailhead.
Length: 5.5 miles (lower route) or 11.5 miles (upper route)
The Hike: This trail has it all: you walk along Paulina Creek from Paulina Lake, past waterfall, through forests, and down the slope of Newberry Volcano. There are many opportunities to wade in the creek, and several places to stop for a picnic. You may also to stop and spend some time at Paulina Lake and the nearby Obsidian Flow while you are there.
Todd Lake
Directions: From Cascade Lakes Highway, turn northeast at the sign to Todd Lake (just after Mt. Bachelor is you’re coming from the south east or just before if you’re coming from the northwest). Park in the area above the meadow.
Length: 2.4 mile loop.
The Hike: From the shores of this serene lake, you can see the Cascade Range hovering above fir trees. The hike, which is fairly easy, can be accompanied by camping if you are interested.
Lava Island
Directions: From Cascade Lakes Highway, turn east at the signs for Meadow Picnic Area. (It’s about 5 miles out of Bend and just north of the Inn of the Seventh Mountain.) At the end of the road, you will find the trailhead.
Length: 2.5 miles.
The Hike: This hike takes you past fascinating lava tree molds that are thousands of years old. If you have the time, you should hike further to the Lava Island Rock Shelter and see a dwelling made my some of Oregon’s earliest residents.
Paulina Creek
Directions: Drive south on Highway 97 about 22 miles to the Paulina and East Lake sign. Turn east, drive about 1.5 miles to a trailhead parking area on the north.
Length: 17 miles
The Hike: This hike is the longest we recommend on this site, but it is extremely beautiful. On the way, you see 20 different waterfalls, culminating in the gorgeous Paulina Falls. A good hike for kids with a bit more stamina.
Tumalo Mountain
Directions: From Cascade Lakes Highway, look on the northeast side of the road for the Tumalo Mountain trailhead and parking area. It should be right after the first turn for the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area.
Length: 4 miles
The Hike: This is sort of a mini-mountain hike. It is fairly steep, particularly toward the end, but when you get to the top you can see a panoramic view that includes Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor, and the city of Bend. It is a more difficult hike, but definitely worth the view.
Lava River Cave
Directions: From Highway 97, turn east at the signs for the Lava River Cave.
Length: 2 miles
The Hike: Take a flashlight and a jacket: you’ll be hiking along one mile of uncollapsed lava tube. This cave is part of the Newberry Crater National Monument, and long ago used to carry lava to Newberry Volcano. Cost is $3.00 to go into the Cave—another $3.00 for lantern rental.
Lava Cast Forest
Directions: From Highway 97, turn east on Forest Service Road 9720. (This is directly across the highway from the Sunriver exit.) Travel along this unpaved road for nearly 9 miles to the parking area at the Lava Cast Forest.
Length: 0.9 mile loop
The Hike: The trail is easy, paved, and wanders through many examples of 7000-year-old lava tree case formations.
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