Happy New Year, and happy new snow.

With forecasts calling for snow in the mountains and possibly in town during the next few days, below are a few recreation areas and trailheads ready for visitors in the new year. It looks like the weather in town will stay dry during the weekend with a chance of morning snow showers Saturday. Temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Friday but peak in the mid-30s during the weekend. Skies look cloudy through the week with possible sun Saturday and Sunday.

Deschutes National Forest trail crew supervisor Joe Welke said in his weekly report Wednesday that most sno-parks were still unsuited for winter recreation due to lack of snow. But he also said that all could change with the weather shift Friday. Snow is expected in the mountains during the next few days, so keep an eye out for sno-parks to be ready for winter activities into next week. And make sure to pick up a permit before heading out.

Here are some recommended spots for recreation this weekend.

Snow expected on Mt. Bachelor

The powder is on the way in 2024. While Mt. Bachelor ski area received a couple of inches of snow yesterday, the main weather system is expected to come tonight and into the weekend. The mid-mountain snow forecast predicts 9 inches from Friday to Sunday. Heavy snowfall should come beginning next week, with a total of 30 inches predicted to fall between Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures should stay in the teens, except for a possible warm front Monday, while moderate winds are expected on the mountain through the weekend.

As of Thursday morning, the ski area reported to have received 2 inches of new snow on the mountain pushing its base up to 29 inches. More snow was also expected throughout the day, adding another 4 inches.

January is National Safety Month and staff asks people to ski and ride in control. While snow conditions are firm and fast, it is especially important to be aware of surroundings. Maintain a safe distance from others and abide by the skier’s responsibility code to keep the slopes safe for all.

Cline Buttes for winter riding, views

Similar to the Horse Ridge Trail Area featured last week, these intermediate- and expert-level trails are great for mountain bikers during winter and especially after a little rain. About a 20-minute drive north of Bend and east of Redmond, the Cline Buttes Trail offers high-level riding with steep climbs and descents and 360-degree views of Central Oregon. The trails are great for hiking and trail running as well. Considered moderately challenging by AllTrails, expect few flat stretches as the trail winds its way up and back down the buttes. It’s also rare to run into other people while out on these trails.

In total, the area has only 4.6 miles of trails, but it makes up for it in elevation, with 1,100 feet possible. The summit reaches 4,117 feet and, as some of the easternmost foothills of the Cascades, the buttes offer a strategic vantage point of the Three Sisters, Mount Washington and the rest of the Cascade Range. Of the four trails, three are downhill black diamonds — experts only — and the other is an intermediate cross-country loop. Two gravel service roads on either side of the buttes, off of the cross-country trail, also offer access to the summit and the descents.

Looking for flatter, beginner trails? Check out nearby Maston to the south, just across Cline Falls Road. (My favorite is to start at the Maston Trailhead, ride the trails to the Juniper Trailhead, cross the road, climb the cross-country trail to the top of Cline Butte, stop to enjoy the view, of course, and take the trails back.)

Good fishing upstream of Bend, below Steelhead Falls

Anglers report good winter trout fishing on the Deschutes River upstream of the Old Mill District in Bend and below Steelhead Falls northeast of Terrebonne, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website. Fishing is open year-round on the Deschutes between Lake Billy Chinook and Benham Falls. The area offers rainbow and brown trout and whitefish. Recent reports say nymphing — using artificial flies that imitate aquatic insects in their larval state — has been the most effective method. Lake Billy Chinook, just north of Steelhead Falls, was also reported to have good winter fishing, including kokanee and bull trout.

Be sure to check of the department of fish and wildlife’s website for more fishing reports in the area. And with the new year anglers will need to renew or update their fishing license. The department also suggests reviewing the 2024 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations to check for updates before fishing.

Dillon Falls offers quick, stunning excursion

While a great summer spot for picnicking, the Dillon Falls Day Use Area is also a great spot for a winter walk, trail run and nature viewing. The parking area offers access to the Deschutes River Trail and horse trailer parking for the nearby horse trail along the river. The falls are a short walk downstream from the lot and offers stunning views of the rapids in a canyon of the Deschutes River. In winter, the falls can look especially spectacular when partially frozen over as melting icicles drip into the on-rushing water.

Just south of the falls is the Ryan Ranch meadow, formed by a berm constructed in the 1920s to prevent flooding. As the river trail winds its way between the meadow and river, the open area allows for nice views of the Deschutes National Forest and the Cascades on a clear day.

For a full list of conditions updated regularly, visit bendbulletin.com/explore/conditions.

Fire danger is currently listed as Moderate in the Ochoco National Forests, the Crooked River Grasslands. The Deschutes National Forests and Willamette National Forests fire danger is low.

Industrial Fire Precaution Level has been lowered to 1 as of Sep. 20 in the Deschutes, Ochoco and the Crooked River Grasslands and the Willamette National Forests.

Deschutes River access at Columbia Park is closed due to safety concerns and to prevent further riverbank erosion, as of July 22, 2020. 

Reopening of this access point is dependent on the outcome of the McKay, Miller’s, and Columbia River Access Project. To learn more, visit the project page.