Posts with tag 'Central Oregon Hikes'
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Moraine Lake and Wickiup Plains: A Quiet Fall Loop Beneath South Sister
Moraine Lake and Wickiup Plains: A Quiet Fall Loop Beneath South Sister
Some hikes stand out because of a difficult summit or an unexpected challenge. Others are memorable because nearly everything comes together: clear skies, calm water, comfortable afternoon temperatures and long stretches of trail with almost no one else around.
Our Saturday hike from Devil's Lake to Moraine Lake and Wickiup Plains was one of those days.
We began on the South Sister Climber Trail, followed it to the junction for Moraine Lake and then made a broad loop through the Three Sisters Wilderness. After visiting Moraine Lake, we climbed back to the climber trail, continued from the junction toward Wickiup Plains and returned on the loop that also connects with the Sisters Mirror Lake Trail. By the time we reached the car, we had traveled 12.3 miles with approximately 1,925 feet of elevation gain.
9
October 2026 ADVISOR: Bend Real Estate Market Updates & Central Oregon Living
October 2026 ADVISOR: Bend Real Estate Market Updates & Central Oregon Living
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in Central Oregon, bringing brilliant fall colors, crisp mountain air, and a calendar full of local activities.
In the October 2026 edition of Bend Premier Real Estate's ADVISOR, we explore the latest Bend housing market trends, including changing buyer activity, pricing strategies, and seller concessions. We also feature Awbrey Glen, one of Bend's established golf communities, along with October events, seasonal home-maintenance tips, a comforting pumpkin soup recipe, and a spectacular hike above No Name Lake and Broken Top.
Whether you're buying, selling, relocating, or simply enjoying life in Central Oregon, our monthly newsletter brings together local real estate expertise and the lifestyle that makes this region special.
Explore the October 2026 ADVISOR below.
5
October in Central Oregon: Things to Do, See & Experience
October in Central Oregon: Things to Do, See & Experience
October brings a quieter kind of beauty to Central Oregon. Crisp mornings return, the aspens and cottonwoods begin to glow, and the first dusting of snow may appear high in the Cascades. Summer crowds have thinned, but there is still plenty happening—from local theater and live dance to pumpkin patches, historic mysteries and Halloween traditions.
It is also a month when flexibility pays off. A sunny afternoon may be perfect for a walk along the Deschutes River, while the next day may call for an indoor performance or museum visit. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy Bend and the surrounding area in October 2026.
Enjoy Fall Color Close to Town
You do not have to drive far to find fall color in Bend. Drake Park, the paths around Mirror Pond and the Deschutes River Trail are especially inviting when the cottonwoods turn yellow. Shevlin Park is another good choice, with a mix of creeksid...
10
Jefferson Park in Early Fall: Beauty and Renewal Along the Whitewater Trail
Jefferson Park in Early Fall: Beauty and Renewal Along the Whitewater Trail
Some hikes are memorable because the trail leads to a beautiful destination. Others stay with us because the landscape tells a much larger story. Our September 8, 2026 hike to Jefferson Park from the Whitewater Trailhead offered both.
We have hiked to Jefferson Park several times over the years, including before and after the fires that dramatically changed this part of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. Our earlier visit, shared in Jefferson...
20
Maiden Peak: A Challenging Climb to One of Central Oregon's Best Views
Maiden Peak: A Challenging Climb to One of Central Oregon's Best Views
There are hikes where the difficulty is obvious almost from the beginning, and there are others that save nearly everything for the end. Our August 1, 2026 hike to the summit of Maiden Peak definitely fell into the second category.
Starting from the Maiden Peak Trailhead off Gold Lake Road near Willamette Pass, our GPS recorded 11.41 miles round trip with 2,828 feet of elevation gain. Those numbers are consistent with published descriptions of this western route, which generally put the hike at roughly 11 to 12 miles round trip with about 2,800 to 2,900 feet of climbing. What those numbers don't convey particularly well, however, is how the hike actually feels. Much of the early trail is surprisingly moderate. Then, during roughly the final mile to mile and a half approaching th...
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