Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone! It’s shaping up to be a pleasant one.

The weather forecast for the weekend predicts cool, overcast days Friday and Saturday, with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Things should clear and heat up Sunday, with temperatures rising into the 70s for the second half of Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day might be the best day for an outing followed by a dip in the river, as the high is 76 degrees Fahrenheit Monday.

All trails below 5,500 feet are free of snow, according to last week’s report from Deschutes National Forest trail crew supervisor Joe Welke. The Deschutes River Trail, Horse Butte area, Phil’s trail system and low-elevation trails around Sisters are all accessible. Most trails higher than 5,500 feet are under at least some snow, Welke said. The snowpack has also delayed some campgrounds from opening this weekend. So keep an eye out on the national forest website and make sure those reservations are still valid. More information below.

Also, check out bendtrails.org and the BendTrails Facebook group for more specific trail updates. And keep people updated if you happen to spot something new.

Below are some recommended spots for recreation this weekend.

Closing weekend 2024, pond skimming

Mt. Bachelor: The ski area received some flurries Wednesday, totaling to an inch of snow, according to its snow report. That accounts for all the snow the mountain has received in the past week. But, according to the mid-mountain forecast, Bachelor might get some light snow showers Friday and into Saturday, making for a nice refresh ahead of the resort’s closing weekend. After that late-season accumulation, skiers and riders should expect bluebird conditions on the last day of the season.

As is tradition, the resort will host the North American Pond Skimming Championships for its closing day Sunday. The skimming will start at 11 a.m., and there will be live music from Billy the Box Kid in the afternoon.

Bachelor has received 384 inches of snow so far this season. Its base depth on Thursday was 61 inches.

Camping season begins, snowpack delays some openings

Eight Deschutes National Forest campgrounds will not be opening this weekend as planned due to winter snowpack delaying routine safety inspections and tree mitigation, according to a May 21 press release. The campgrounds include Elk Lake, Little Fawn, Mallard Marsh, Point, Quinn Meadow Horse Camp, Soda Creek, South and Trapper Creek, in the Crescent Ranger District. Visitors with reservations at those locations through May 30 should have received a refund and cancellation email.

Don’t worry, plenty of other campsites are already open or will be opening up for Memorial Day weekend. Many sites are fully booked, but some have first-come-first-serve spots available. If you’re looking for a last-minute site, check out our list of campsites or visit recreation.gov to see what’s available. Also, plan a camping weekend for later in the summer. Sites are going fast!

Head up to Hood River for spring Chinook

Last week, I mentioned how the Deschutes will not have a spring Chinook season this year. That doesn’t mean no Chinook season for Central Oregon anglers this year. Anglers willing to travel up the Hood River this Memorial Day weekend could be in luck. Spring Chinook are coming over the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. According to reports on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website, few Chinook have been caught so far but this weekend is expected to be productive. Bait is allowed on the river and the bag limit is one adult hatchery salmon per day.

Fishing spots on the Hood River are about a 2½-hour drive from Bend. Check out the fish and wildlife department’s website or past reports for good fishing areas closer to town.

Still time to ride Horse Butte

Southeast of Bend, the Horse Butte Trailhead offers more than 30 miles of trails, including Swamp Wells, Coyote Loop and Arnold Ice Cave. Often considered a great winter riding spot and too dusty during the summer, these trails should still have enough moisture from spring rains to make for a good day out. Trail runners and hikers can also enjoy these sandy, winding trails. They offer wide open landscape views of the Cascades to the west. With sun and mild temperatures in the forecast, the High Desert could be a good choice for folks looking to avoid some of the Memorial Day weekend crowds.

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