Central Oregon trail update

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Things are opening up, and most wilderness trailheads are now accessible up to 5,200 feet, including those along Cascade Lakes Highway. The snow line is receding rapidly with warming temperatures.

Lower snow-free elevations on wilderness trails will have some moderate blowdown. There is limited maintenance on wilderness trails, but it will increase within the next few weeks as additional volunteers come on board.

Most Popular

Winopee Lake Trail from Cultus Lake to Winopee Lake is clear of blowdown. Trail users should be aware of some standing water on a section of the trail and increasing mosquito levels.

Green Lakes, Canyon Creek Meadow area, Broken Top and some trails out of Devils Lake are snowed in.

Climbers on South Sister will run into soft snow above 10,000 feet.

Road 16 out of Sisters to Three Creek Lake might open within the next week, but there will likely be a detour in place because of a washed-out section of road that has not been repaired.

A reminder to mountain bikers that biking is not permitted in wilderness and is subject to citation.

The wilderness permit system is in place, so trail users should sign in at wilderness trailheads and get a free permit.

With nonwilderness trails, most are snow-free except for some trails in the Newberry Caldera area, specifically around Crater Rim and Paulina Peak Road.

Peter Skene Ogden Trail has been cleared of blowdown and is fully accessible. It is uphill for bikers only.

North Fork Trail above Tumalo Falls is still blocked by snow near Happy Valley and has some blowdown. This trail will not be open to bikers until the snow is gone.

Deschutes River trails are mostly free of blowdown. There has been some trail clearing on the Metolius-Windigo trail, and it is 15 to 20 percent logged out. Jefferson Lake Trail is clear for 2.3 miles with dense brush and ticks beyond that point.

Phil’s trails, Blake Butte, Metolius River and Suttle Lake are in good condition. Cascade Lakes Highway is fully open with recreation facilities including Todd Lake, Sparks Lake, Green Lakes and Devils Lake trailheads still blocked by snow.

Snowmobile access is no longer available at Dutchman Sno-park. There is very limited snowmobile access on Todd Lake Road.

Skyliner Trailhead is still closed for construction work. McKenzie Pass is not scheduled to open to vehicle traffic before June 16.

Marketplace