Early-season hiking in Central Oregon has pitfalls such as swarming mosquitos, lingering snowpack and crowded trailheads. But recently, I successfully avoided all three with a trail in an unusual category for July: a designated snowshoe trail.

Trekking along the Peak View Snowshoe Trail in the Deschutes National Forest, I was treated to meadows of sweet-smelling lupines and near-constant views of the Middle and North Sisters.

The out-and-back trail, which clocks in at about 3.2 miles with 672 feet of elevation gain, makes for an excellent early-season destination.

Peak View became the first designated snowshoe trail in the Sisters Ranger District in 2018, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Local trail groups including the Central Oregon Nordic Club, Sisters Trail Alliance and Deschutes National Forest Trail Crew banded together to complete the project, consequently alleviating congestion between snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

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Jefferson View Shelter

The trail is accessible from the Upper Three Creeks SnoPark. Snow typically melts around early May, according to the online guide Hike Oregon.

The trail passes through heavily burned areas from the 2012 Pole Creek Fire, marked by blue trail markers that mostly travel in a straight direction for the sno-park to the shelter. The trail is the shortest distance from the sno-park to Jefferson View Shelter. During the winter months, the three-sided shelter makes for a cozy refuge for snowshoers and cross-country skiers. No camping is allowed, but winter recreationalists are invited to warm themselves inside by burning the stack of firewood chopped by volunteers and piled next to the wood structure.

The Forest Service prohibits using the chopped firewood during the summertime. But once the snow melts, the structure continues to serve as a charming point of interest set against the backdrop of the Cascades.

Wildflowers and mountain views

More than once, I caught whiffs of the sweet grape-like fragrance of the lupines dotting the trail. After passing through a meadow and hiking through the trees, I also noticed one or two bright red scarlet gilias, blooming in the shape of trumpets.

Middle and North Sisters seldom escaped my view, but the most impressive outlook came with a panoramic view shortly before arriving at the shelter. It included sightings of Tam McArthur Rim, Broken Top, the Three Sisters Mountains, Mount Washington, Millican Crater, Black Crater, Three Fingered Jack and Mount Jefferson.

Come mid-December, when about 2 feet of snow have accumulated on the trail, it will once again be sanctioned for winter recreation. But for now, as we wait for the snow to melt in the haigh country and the mosquitos to subside along trails flanked by water, Peak View’s solitude and near-continuous mountain views is a prime destination.

The hike is located in the Deschutes National Forest, about 10 miles south of Sisters. After parking at the sno-park, cross Three Creeks Lake Road to the trailhead for the Three Creek Nordic Trail System. The turn-off for the snowshoe trail is just up the trail on the right.

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Getting there: From Sisters, turn left onto South Elm Street, which becomes Three Creek Road. Continue for about 9.6 miles, then turn left at the sign for Upper Three Creek Sno-Park.