We drove north on Hwy. 97 to connect with County Road 45 near Sunriver and then on to the byway. We hadn't driven too many miles when Mt. Bachelor was front and center in our line of vision. The elevation of Mt. Bachelor is 9,065 and it is the winter training grounds for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team. (click photo for larger view)
During the summer months you can take a trip up the ski lift on Mt. Bachelor for a panoramic vista that is probably amazing.....we aren't that daring to ride up a ski lift, besides it was cold!
You will see that the volcanic landscape has been transformed into meadows and mixed conifer forests. Well, we couldn't see too many meadows since snow covered everything on this Eastern portion of the byway. Forests we could see at this point...meadows? Not so much. We did get a great view of Broken Top Mountain in this area. The peak of this mountain reminded me of what I think the Alps could look like.
Most of the trails and the campgrounds were still closed for the winter. Hey, it's almost summer! I think you could do a snowshoe hike on the trails as we did see some cars parked along the turnouts. When we continued past Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor the snow began to disappear. Soon the snow was all behind us. We stopped then for our picnic lunch in a closed up little place with a historic guardhouse. Nobody in sight except us enjoying the total peacfulness of the forest. The byway goes around Mt. Bachelor and you can come back to Hwy. 97 by taking County Road 42 toward La Pine.
We're leaving La Pine this morning and making our way to Eugene and then the Oregon coast. Although the daytime temperatures have been OK in La Pine, the early morning temps haven't been above 32F since we arrived. I'm really ready for a warmer morning than that. Hopefully, we'll find it soon.
Until next time.....so long for now!
Looks like it was a nice ride, I hope that is the way we see snow for a long time, From a distance. Be sfae out there. Sam & Donna.
ReplyDeleteAnother great sightseeing tour.It must be great to be able to change seasons just by going up the hill or going down the hill.
ReplyDeleteHey Margie, your pics are killing me!! We are sweltering here in the southeast. Yesterday's heat index was over 100 with humidity levels even higher. Last year this time, we were in Colorado enjoying scenes that look a lot like your pics. Ahhhhh, sweet memories. Have a great day. Love your blogs. Sharon
ReplyDeleteAs always..Oregon has beautiful Eye Candy Scenery!! I could wake up to that EVERY morning!!
ReplyDeleteHugs..Cindy and Walker
What a scenic drive! I can't believe all the snow....the heat index here the last few days has been near 100 degrees. What a difference!!
ReplyDeleteYou all always find the nicest places to stop and have a lunch. I am learning from you. :)
Travel safely and continue to enjoy the journey!!
Mike & Gerri (happytrails)
http//freedom2roll.blogspot.com
I'm tired of the cold also, but you sure can't beat the mountain scenery! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, we could do some of that right about now! In fact, we pine for LaPine! Now you're headed to the coast, that stunning rock-bound Oregon coast. And here we are in Benson, Arizona, green with envy. No, not envy, we know better than that! We are grinning and celebrating your good fortune, and we look forward to more stories and pictures of places we have been and places we haven't been!
ReplyDeleteOregon sure has a wide variety of scenic sights from ocean surf to mountain roads. Beautiful pictures again today - sure is a lot of snow left for the middle of June!
ReplyDeleteI love those byways, especially when there isn't much other traffic on the road. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and look at all that snow! wow!
ReplyDeleteHave fun!