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Past Activity

Easy Hikes on McKenzie Pass

  • Start date: 08/29/2024

  • Start time: 8:00 AM

Description:

We are going to get out on the Old McKenzie Pass Highway and do a few short hikes. Our first stop will be the Proxy Falls trail. Then we will get back in the cars and drive maybe a half mile to the trail into Linton Lake. This out and back will be the longest hike at about 3 miles and only 430 feet of elevation gain. Our next stop will be for the Hand Lake trail. While the rest of the world deals with permits, reservations, and crowds at Scott Lake, we will enter the area from a roadside parking area and take a stroll to Hand Lake, which is probably a meadow this time of year. Dee Wright Observatory is our final planned visit. It is always worth a stop even if the crowds are there. At that point we can continue on to Sisters and return home on a much straighter Highway 126.
The total hiking mileage is about 6 miles and we will probably eat lunch at Linton Lake. This makes for a casual day with a variety of wonderful scenery. It has been suggested that some may want to stop at Takodas at Rainbow on our way home.
Passengers should bring $20 for the suggested reimbursement for drivers.

Photo by: David Cooper

  • Event Leader: Carla Cooper

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-517-6785

  • Event Leader Email: ccooperk1@mac.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 183

  • Season: 2024

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Water, Snacks, personal first aid supplies, Lunch

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 6.1

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 680

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Nine members enjoyed three short hikes to two waterfalls and two lakes up Hwy 242. Our first stop was to hike the Proxy Falls Loop where there are a few leaves beginning to change color. Our next stop was to hike into Linton Lake. There wasn\'t a great view of the lake, but we had a nice shady spot to eat lunch. Our last hike of the day was just a short hop over to Hand Lake, which actually still had some water in it this year, and of course, great views of Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters. After one last stop at Dee Wright Observatory, we headed on towards Sisters and back home on Hwy 126. Everyone agreed that they liked these easy, short hikes in an area where Obsidians hikes are much longer.

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