It’s that time of year again, kids. ‘Tis the season for waking up to frost on the ground, and by lunchtime, stripping off those extra layers to bask in 80-degree sunshine.
The weeks surrounding Memorial Day Weekend also signal the opening of roadways and landmarks that have been buried under snow for the last five months. Heavy snowfall in 2017 has pushed many opening dates later and later, with some still up in the air as snow continues to fall in the mountains.
Here’s the current roundup of what’s open, what’s opening soon, and what’s still snowy in and around Bend as of May 18, 2017.
Already open and ready for play!
The road allowing guests to drive up and down Pilot Butte opened on April 15 in 2017, which is on par with a normal snow year. Watch for icy spots on cold mornings, but otherwise, you should be ready to roll.
The Lava Lands Visitor Center is open and ready for you to visit!
The Cascade Welcome Station (operated by the Forest Service near milepost seven on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway) is also open, and operating Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. That schedule will continue through May 30, when they’ll shift to summer hours and be open daily during those same hours.
Lava Lands Visitor Center is also open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The road to the top of Lava Butte is open and drivable, and the shuttle will start Memorial Day weekend this year. Lava River Cave is also open already, and currently operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday until they shift to summer hours on Memorial Day weekend. New this year, there’s a 10-minute required orientation that all visitors must attend. You can learn more about that here.
The Tumalo Falls Trailhead is also open for the season, but be aware that the trail is still pretty packed with snow just above the overlook. Dress warmly, bring proper footwear, and be prepared to turn back when the snow gets too deep for hiking.
What’s opening soon?
Several weeks ago, folks were speculating the Cascade Lakes Highway would open on its usual timeframe around Memorial Day Weekend. Then Mother Nature laughed and laughed and laughed and dumped another couple feet of snow on us.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is open in some areas, but be aware there’s still lots of snow up there.
As of today (May 18, 2017) they’re predicting an “early June” opening for the Cascade Lakes Highway between Mt. Bachelor and Elk Lake. As of now, the gates are still in place at Lava Lake. Crews are working nonstop on clearing the snow, and you can keep your eyes on this page for the latest updates.
Another hotly-anticipated opening date each year is the Old McKenzie Pass (242). Right now, they’re predicting a late-June opening date for roads to be cleared and the gates to open for cars. Cyclists, on the other hand, are welcome to head up now to enjoy car-free roads.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is at least a little bit accessible right now. Paulina Lake Road (FS Road 21) will open the gate at 10-Mile Sno-Park on Friday, May 19, but access to the lakes is still limited by snow. The Paulina Peak Visitor Center is expected to open on May 27, but don’t expect Paulina Peak Road to open anytime soon—that bad boy is going to take a lot of clearing and snowmelt this year!
What if I still want to play in the snow?
You’re in luck! Spring skiing is in full swing at Mt. Bachelor, with lifts running every day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Sunday, May 28. They’ve seen 604-inches of snow at mid-mountain since October 1, which is pretty impressive. Almost as impressive as their spring lift ticket prices, which are in effect for the remainder of the season.
There are still plenty of bluebird days up at Mt. Bachelor this season.
Can’t make it out for spring skiing? Prepare yourself for summer skiing. That’s right—Mt. Bachelor recently announced plans to open the Sunrise and Summit lifts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from July 2 through July 4. And while those lifts are spinning for skiers and snowboarders, the Pine Marten lift will be open (snowmelt permitting) for scenic rides and mountain biking.
How’s that for having the best of both worlds?