©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

Central & the Oregon Cascades

Why Go? Mt Hood ...... 261 Love mountain tops? Well, that’s what and Lower Deschutes River ..265 its Cascades are all about. You can practically skip your Warm Springs Indian way from peak to snowy peak here, from Mt Hood, to Jef- Reservation ...... 266 ferson, to Bachelor, to Three-Fingered Jack and the lovely Mt Jeff erson & the Sisters volcanoes. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of Metolius River ...... 266 awesome and mountaineering, along with stellar Mountain hiking and camping. And it’s not just mountain-lovers who Resort ...... 267 come – world-class biking, golfi ng, rafting, kayaking, fi sh- Sisters ...... 267 ing and rock climbing are also on off er. Did we mention McKenzie Pass Area .....269 there’s also nearly 300 days of sunshine every year? A s much as the outdoors may beckon, the lively city of Three Sisters Wilderness ...... 269 Bend provides plenty of good food and accommodations. Or head nearby to the sweet little town of Sisters for a more Bend ...... 269 quaint and personal atmosphere. Add a must-stop visit to Mt Bachelor ...... 273 Mt Hood’s historic Timberline Lodge, or a getaway stop in Newberry National the region’s many peaceful lakeside resorts, and you’ll fi nd Volcanic Monument ..... 274 that Central Oregon’s many attractions are hard to beat.

Best Places to Eat When to Go » Blacksmith (p 272 ) Bend °C/°F Te m p Rainfall inches/mm » Ariana (p272 ) 40/104 16/400 Jen’s Garden (p268 ) » 30/86 13/320 » Rendezvous Grill & Tap 20/68 9/240 Room (p264 ) 10/50 6/160 » Kokanee Cafe (p267 ) 0/32 3/80

-10/14 0 Best Places to Stay J FDNOSAJJMAM » Timberline Lodge (p 263 ) July & August December–April April–June » McMenamins Old St Summer weather; Awesome skiing Prime time for Francis School (p272 ) hike and camp at Mt Bachelor, rock climbing at » Oxford Hotel (p271 ) around Mt Willamette Pass Smith Rock or » Five Pine Lodge (p268 ) Hood, or raft the and around Mt summiting Mt Deschutes Hood Hood Timberline Lodge DOWNHILL SKIING Mt Hood (%503-272-3158, snow report 503-222-2211; 261 The state’s highest peak, Mt Hood (11,240ft), www.timberlinelodge.com; lift tickets adult/child pops into view over much of northern Or- $56/36) Boasts the longest ski season in egon whenever there’s a sunny day, exert- North America; its legendary lodge is a ing an almost magnetic tug on skiers, hik- must-visit for bar drinks, fireplace sit- ers and sightseers. In summer, wildfl owers downs and upscale dinners. bloom on the mountainsides and hidden Mt Hood Skibowl DOWNHILL SKIING ponds shimmer in blue, making for some (%503-272-3206; www.skibowl.com; lift tick- unforgettable hikes; in winter, downhill ets adult/child $44/24) The USA’s largest and cross-country skiing dominates peo- night-ski area and the closest skiing to ple’s minds and bodies. Timberline Lodge, a Portland, making it popular with people handsome wood gem from the 1930s, off ers who buzz out from the big city for an glorious shelter and refreshments to both evening of skiing. Overall, it’s smaller guests and nonguests all year round – and than Meadows or Timberline. Lift tickets can’t be missed. are cheaper during the week. Mt Hood rises above the Western Cas- Cooper Spur Ski Area DOWNHILL SKIING cades, a ridge of older volcanoes stretching (%503-352-7803; www.cooperspur.com; lift between Mt Rainier and Mt Shasta. These tickets adult/child $25/20) On the northeast volcanoes erupted between 20 and 40 mil- slopes of Mt Hood; caters to beginners CENTRAL OREGON & THE OREGON CASCADES ACTIVITIES lion years ago, and their peaks have long and families with mostly beginner/inter- since eroded. Mt Hood began to burp to- mediate runs and a tubing area. A special ward the end of the last ice age, and geolo- pass ($35) includes equipment rentals gists reckon that the mountain’s last major and tubing. eruption was about 1000 years ago. Mt Hood is accessible year-round on US Cross-Country Skiing 26 from Portland (56 miles), and from Hood Trillium Lake, near the campground of the River (44 miles) on Hwy 35. Together with same name, is a very popular cross-country the Columbia River Hwy, these routes com- ski loop. White River Canyon is another prise the Mt Hood Loop, a popular scenic good trail, and starts at a sno-park on Hwy drive. Government Camp is at the pass over 35 (about 4 miles north of Hwy 26). Mt Hood, and is the center of business on Mt Hood Meadows Nordic Center the mountain. (%503-337-2222; www.skihood.com/The-Moun tain/Nordic-Center; day pass $10) off ers around 2 Activities 10 miles of groomed wooded trails. Several If you park at designated winter recre- other free (ungroomed) trails start from the ational areas on Mt Hood (ie for cross- same parking area, including an easy mile- country skiing or snowshoeing), you’ll long trail to Sahalie Falls and a longer, more need a Sno-Park permit (daily pass $4, challenging one to Elk Meadows. three-day pass $7, season pass $20). These Teacup Lake (www.teacupnordic.org; trail ACTIVITIESMT HOOD are available at gas stations, some Govern- fee $8) has 12 miles of groomed trails and a ment Camp businesses and at Timberline variety of terrain. Lodge. During the rest of the year, a Northwest Hiking Forest Pass (daily $5, annual $30) is re- An outstanding guide that includes Mt quired to park at most hiking trailheads; Hood hikes is William L Sullivan’s 100 buy them at ranger stations and from some Hikes in Northwest Oregon. It’s also worth Government Camp businesses. visiting a ranger station for maps and in- formation on the many hikes in the area. Downhill Skiing A Northwest Forest Pass ($5) is required at Mt Hood Meadows DOWNHILL SKIING most trailheads. (%503-337-2222, snow report 503-227-7669; A popular trail loops for 7 miles via lovely www.skihood.com; lift tickets adult/child Ramona Falls, which tumbles 120ft down $69/39) The largest ski area on Mt Hood; a face of mossy columnar basalt. To reach often has the best conditions. Facilities the trailhead from Zigzag, turn north onto include two day-lodges with nine snack Lolo Pass Rd for 4 miles, then turn right on bars and restaurants. USFS Rd 1825 for 3 miles.