Hiking in Central Oregon: 2013

McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass Scenic Byway

This whole post covers most of the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass Scenic Byway and the trails and viewpoints I had time to visit

Clear Lake

Clear lake is mostly fed from snow run off from nearby Mount Washington. This run off goes underground first taking 20 years to reach the lake. This is responsible for keeping the lake so cold. Because the water is so cold no algae can grow there the lake is crystal clear with beautiful blue-green hue along the shore line and inlets. More than one half of the side is shaded by trees but the other half that is covered by 3000 year old lava is out in the sun. This part can be quite hot as one woman who past me by said, "I hope you like being out in the sun". I have had worse but may surprise people and discourage some people trying to beat the heat thinking the lake was surrounded by trees. The trail goes all long the lake. If you go south on the trail from the parking lot you run along the roadside at first with poor views of the lake. The north route is a faster way to the beautiful blue-green coves. Once you get to the bridge you have some nice view of the water but there are better sights the further you go on the trail. But first you have to cross the lava, luckily most of it is paved. With occasional patches of forest to get away from the heat of the sun. Finally you get good views of the lake. At this point your tired and think your just about done with the trial with the resort in eyesight. But the trail stops following the lake and goes deep into the forest. Don't worry the trail is following one of the two most likely dry creek beds where you have to go up along it until its narrow enough to cross with a bridge in place. You go back down the other side to the lake and in a short time have the repeat the process again for the other dry creek bed. Then you finally at the last leg that much like the first leg, along the road with some views of the lake through the trees.

Click on photos to see them larger.

more info about Clear Lake

http://www.linnparks.com/pages/parks/clearlake.html

Sahalie Falls

If you continue down the trail it just follows the river, just of the best views are out of sight. Eventually it leads to Koosah Falls

Koosah Falls

Not much to see at the top of the waterfall

Belknap Hot Springs

After Passing Clear Lake and the two falls view point you come to Belknap Hot Springs at the end of 126 before you meet up with the McKenzie Pass. Did not check out the hotsprings or linger for long because I was in a hurry.The pictures show at least it worth a visit.

Proxy Falls

Right after leaving Belknap Hot Springs was the junction where Santiam Pass and McKenzie Pass meet. I turned right on McKenzie Pass heading back to Bend. Proxy Falls is on the McKenzie Pass. Drive slowly on this stretch, there are lots of bicyclists and with the narrow road and sharp corners its easy to run into a car that pops right out in front of your with no warning. Once you leave Proxy Falls you will face a uphill drive the whole way until you reach the Dee Wright Observatory.

Minor falls if you take the left part of the trail

After hiking the trail you come to a sign that says Proxy Falls with arrows going in both directions. To the right is Proxy Falls, to the left is smaller minor falls.

Proxy Falls from the trail

You can get closer but that means going down a steep hillside, there is no real maintained trail, then have to walk though this as the picture shows above.

Crack in the Ground

Getting here was a pain in the ass. Just give yourself plenty of time and don't spend too long at the other attractions like Fort Rock and Hole in the Ground if you want to check this out. At the very bottom is directions how to get here.

Trail starts here

Looks like parts of it were weather by a stream going through

Crack in the Ground video

Getting to Crack in the Ground means having to get to Fort Rock first. If you are going down Hwy 97 until you pass LaPine. There is only a sign saying Reno pointing to Hwy 31,the Oregon Outback route, this leads to Fort Rock 23 miles later.

Go from Road 5-10 to Road 5-12. in other words keep going straight ahead and not follow the turn.

Keep following the paved road that runs along the power lines

The road runs to a dead and you take a right on 512B also know as Sink Lane

Now you on a gravel road that takes forever

Finally you get to this point and take a right and I was discourage to find I have 9 miles to go and now its a dirt road.

This is the worst it gets and its dicey in a compact car but once you get to the top its gravel again

This is looking from below of the same road to the left, High clearance vehicles are recommended but I made it up here in a Honda Civic

Don't take the following routes from the main road the first one leads to some fire outlook and the other is just the Green Mountain Campground.