Heading outside: Snow refresh Saturday at Bachelor, Hoodoo; Try Maston or Cascade View for mellower riding

Published 3:44 pm Thursday, May 1, 2025

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A mountain biker rounds a corner while riding the Maston Area Trails. (Bulletin file photo)

A skier sails off a ridge while making a run from the Summit chairlift down the backside of Mt. Bachelor. (Bulletin file photo)

A fly fisherman makes a cast from his boat while fishing Wickiup Reservoir in 2019. (Bulletin file photo)

The lodge at Willamette Pass ski area and the Eagle Peak Accelerator chairlift. (Mark Morical/Bulletin photo)

The scorched earth from prescribed burns last week in the Phil’s trails area of the Deschutes National Forest. (Ian Haupt/Bulletin photo)

Mountain bike season is here, Central Oregon, according to my observations.

The parking lot at Phil’s trailhead was nearly full Wednesday evening, and the forest road at the bottom of Lower Whoops — a popular parking spot for downhillers looking to hit the jumpline — had over 20 cars parked along it. I rolled over to the trails on my gravel bike after over a week off from riding due to a hamstring injury. From the parking lot, I hopped on Kent’s and took a right onto MTB. I rode up the loose switchback climb and over to Ben’s, where I headed for Pinedrops — the uphill, feeder route for Lower Whoops.

Up at the top of Pinedrops and Lower Whoops, near 5,000 feet, I saw the occasional patches of snow, but the trails were dry (even a little dusty for my liking) and rideable. Since I had my gravel bike, I opted for the forest road down to Grand Slam, where I encountered the worst of last week’s prescribed burns. On approach, it smelled like a welcoming campfire. Seconds later: burnt plastic. Escaping Cormac McCarthy’s once-imagined setting, I made my way back into town via KGB.

With some rain in the forecast Saturday, expect it to only improve trail conditions as most without snow are already pretty dusty and loose. Temperatures in town should remain below 60 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend. Saturday has a chance of rain and a high of 48 degrees. Brr. Sunday should be clear with a high of 55. Keep an eye on your favorite forecast next week. I see a couple of 70-degree days in a row starting Wednesday. Might be time to pull out the paddleboards and floaties and get to the river for the first dip of the year.

The mountains could get a bit of rain Friday evening before it turns to snow overnight. Expect a brief refresh of snow at both Mt. Bachelor and Willamette Pass Saturday morning, thanks to the cooling temperatures this weekend. Bluebird skiing should return Sunday.

Below is a more detailed ski report and some recommended spots for recreation this weekend.

For flatter riding, try Maston or Cascade View

With some rain and 50-degree weather in the forecast this weekend, fair-weather riders may want to make the most of lower-elevation trail systems. Maston is certainly the obvious option. The popular trailhead is rideable throughout the year and is often best paired with a little bit of moisture. The fairly flat trails offer a variety of fast-flowing singletrack and a few technical rocky sections scattered throughout. With a variety of trails to choose from and a few gravel roads in the area, this is a great spot for trail runners as well.

Nearby, on the other side of Cline Buttes, the Cascade View trails have much in common with Maston. The trail system consists of about 15 miles of beginner and intermediate loops. A new trail added at the end of last year, called Rattler, is 2.3 miles of flowy turns and moderately challenging, technical climbs. These trails are designated for mountain bikes and horseback riding. Hikers and trail runners are welcome as well.

Snow refresh Saturday at Bachelor, Hoodoo

Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor ski area got no new snow again this week, according to the mountain report. With cooler temperatures approaching this weekend, the ski area could see some snow Friday night and Saturday. The mid-mountain forecast predicts a little over an inch of snow to fall Saturday morning.

The mountain’s base depth was 104 inches Thursday, and its recorded snowfall for the season remains 439 inches.

Making the switch to spring hours last week, ski area lifts are running till 1:30 p.m. for the remainder of the season. Memorial Day, May 26, is the last day of the season.

Willamette Pass Resort

Willamette Pass also saw no new snow over the past week, but, according to the mid-mountain forecast, it could get up to 4 inches of snow Saturday morning. Then Sunday should be clear bluebird day.

The resort announced last weekend that it was extending its season through May 11. The mountain will remain open for the first two weekends in May — making it the longest season in Willamette Pass history.

The mountain’s base depth was 27 inches Thursday, according to its snow report. The resort has recorded a total of 272 inches of snow this season. All trails and five out of six lifts were open Thursday.

Trout fishing at Crane Prairie, Wickiup reservoirs

Crane Prairie and Wickiup reservoirs opened to fishing April 22 and, according to recent reports on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) website, anglers have found fair trout fishing at the reservoirs. There were also initial reports of nice kokanee at Wickiup, with fish ranging from 14 to 16 inches. Fishing should only improve over the next few weeks as water temperatures rise.

Both reservoirs are off of South Century Drive, southwest of Sunriver, about an hour’s drive from Bend. Crane Prairie Reservoir is currently 87% full, while Wickiup is 88% full. Reminder: Deschutes River regulations apply upstream of the markers near Sheeps Bridge. The upper Deschutes opens to fishing May 22.

Check out the ODFW’s website for more fishing reports.

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

Ian Haupt: 541-617-7821 or ian.haupt@bendbulletin.com.