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Posts with tag 'Places to See in Central Oregon'

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July
11

What's in the July 2024 Bend Premier Newsletter?

  • Bend Home Prices Up As Are Inventory Levels
  • Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers
  • 9 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool Without AC
  • Maxwell Butte Trail
  • Things to Avoid After Applying For a Mortgage
July
7

Maxwell Butte is a 10 Mile Hike in the Willamette National Forest

The 4th of July 2024 was a clear and beautiful day to hike in the forests of Oregon's Cascades. Despite a few mosquitoes in the early hours of the hike, the well marked trail to the top of Maxwell Butte was cleared of fallen trees and only had a few snow patches once the trek up the butte itself began. However, the walk through the woods was lovely with many shade-loving wildflowers blooming and no one else seen.

Maxwell Butte Trailhead Maxwell Butte
Maxwell Butte Maxwell Butte

After passing small Twin Lakes and the junction with the Lava Lakes Trail, the hike passes through more woods and open areas until the final push up Maxwell Butte starts. The trail steepens and switchbacks and as hikers gain elevation, the views towards North and Middle Sister, The Husband, the Wife and then Broken Top become visible. The topography of Hogg Rock, Hoodoo and Hayrick Butte become very evident as hikers climb. However, it isn't until the peak of Maxwell Butte is reached before the stunning views of Three Fingered Jack become seen. Three Fingered Jack's western flank fills the view from the top of Maxwell Butte. Turning slightly west, the views toward Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood and the multitude of small and larger lakes in this section of the Willamette National Forest and Jefferson Wilderness were obvious, as were the results of many fires experienced in Central Oregon over the past few years. All in all, the hike to the top of Maxwell Butte is slightly over 10 miles with 2500 feet of elevation gain.

Maxwell Butte Maxwell Butte
Maxwell Butte Maxwell Butte
July
3

Iron Mountain and the Cone Peak Trail are probably one of the best hikes for wildflowers in Central Oregon. Each year many Oregonians will hike to the top of Iron Mountain, or take the full Cone Peak loop to enjoy the flowers.  Experts state that most of Oregon's 300 + wildflower species can be located near Iron Mountain as well as over 17 species of trees. For those starting at the Tombstone parking lot, the entire hike exceeds 1900 feet of elevation gain in seven miles. The time of the hike will probably depend on how often hikers stop to check out the flowers and views, but most can complete the full loop, including the side hike up and back to the top of Iron Mountain, within 4 hours. The mountain was especially beautiful the end of June, 2024.

Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
June
24

The Hike to Tumalo Mountain Still Has Snow 6-22-24

After a winter which had good snowfall, hiking into the high Cascades has been delayed due to the snow accumulation. However, the warm days experienced over the past week have aided snow melt.  Last Saturday, June 22, 2024, enough snow had melted on Tumalo Mountain to enable hikers to walk the 1450 feet of elevation gain in two miles from the trailhead to the top. It appeared as if half the time the trail was covered by snow, but it was fairly easy to follow the route until the last 1/2 mile; GPS helped navigate this as did microspikes over ice.

The hike up Tumalo Mountain is only 2 miles, but the views from the top toward South and Middle Sister, Broken Top, and Mt Bachelor can be spectacular. For those who take the hike early in the day, often the only people at the top are those in your group. Tumalo Mountain is a great way to begin the summer hiking in the Cascades.

Tumalo Mountain Tumalo Mountain
Tumalo Mountain Tumalo Mountain
June
20

Newberry Crater National Monument is Hikeable Now

While waiting for the snow to melt from the higher elevations of the Cascade Mountains, people looking for a Central Oregon hike with mountain views can consider Newberry Crater National Monument. Besides the well-known Paulina Falls, Obsidian Trail, the hike to Paulina Peak, and the various treks around both Paulina and East Lake, there is the relatively little known hike starting at the Cinder Hill campground at the end of the road by East Lake up to the Crater Rim and then to the Cinder Hill viewpoint. Although not the longest hike, there is close to 1000 feet elevation gain over two miles and then the relatively easy 3/4 mile hike along the Crater Rim trail to the view point. The hike from the campground to the rim is not difficult due to multiple switch backs and a gradual incline. The trail is well maintained and at the rim hikers may have to compete with people on mountain bikes to reach the view point.

On June 15, 2024, the weather was cool with the temperature in the thirties at 9 am. The hike to the rim had some light snow as well as older snow patches left over from winter to traverse. At the view point, although very beautiful with views of East Lake, Paulina Peak and Paulina Lake, the wind was blowing and the wind chill was well below freezing. Hikers didn't last long admiring the setting. 

Cinder Hill Cinder Hill
Cinder Hill Cinder Hill
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