mount bachelor oregon

Imagine a snowmobile playground twice the size of some states. A playground providing twisting trails and freeway-like expanses, heart-arresting cornices that drop into bowls, and buttes with breathtaking vistas of an ancient volcanic mountain range. To say there are 300 miles of trails doesn't tell you much either. The well-spaced ponderosa and lodgepole pines combined with a lack of undergrowth allow you to head your machine into the woods almost anywhere the glistening snow beckons. This is Moon Country in central Oregon.

Situated in the Deschutes National Forest, encompassing countless mountains, buttes and lakes, it is a snowmobiler's paradise that requires more than a mere weekend to fully appreciate.

Dutchman Flat provides acres of flat, open terrain on which to play, with the appearance of sitting in the very lap of the geologic wonder and majesty of Broken Top, Three Fingered Jack and The Three Sisters. Dutchman Flat also provides access to Moon Mountain (elevation 8,000 feet). On the backside of Moon Mountain, the area's namesake, are hillclimb faces to test the hardiness of heart and machine. If challenging vertical walls is a bit beyond you, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy some time watching and cheering on those who thrive on this kind of excitement. Then hook up with Trail No. 6, which skirts Tumalo Mountain (elevation 7,775 feet), winding and undulating through the forest like a rollercoaster. Or head out on the Three Creeks Lake Trail for a cross-country jaunt along the edge of designated wilderness area.

Another favorite route whisks you up over Kwohl Butte (elevation 7,358 feet) where you can see the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area Summit Chair unloading skiers at the top of the mountain, as well as taking in a spectacular view of high alpine lakes, numerous snow-clad peaks thrusting skyward, and hundreds of square miles of wilderness. Kwohl Butte features one of the most unusual bowls in snowmobile kingdom - a huge, massive, mammoth crater with velvety smooth walls. If the conditions are right (remember, this is a crater and the way in is the only way out), drop in and play velodrome, swirling up and around and down and around and up and...

Head south and then east to explore Edison Ice Cave, or continue south for a warm-up at the Sheridan Mountain Shelter. (By now some other backcountry enthusiast has undoubtedly stoked up the fire in the stove.) Head west and cross the Deschutes River, beautiful in its isolation and cloaked in the splendor of winter fluff piled high on the rocks and riverbank. Turn right after you've crossed the bridge and follow this 22-mile, snow-covered cruiser, known to summer travelers as the Cascade Lakes Highway and to winter voyagers as Trail No. 5.

On No. 5 you'll encircle Mt. Bachelor (elevation 9,065 feet) and pass such glistening jewels as Lava, Elk, Devil's, and Sparks Lakes. A stop at the Quinn Meadow Shelter provides a scenic respite from the ride. Steep embankments formed by massive lava flows along many sections of the road may tempt the sidehillers, but keep in mind that the area to the west of this trail is designated wilderness so don't venture up any roads that head into this area.

A climb to the viewpoint atop Wanoga Butte (elevation 5,697 feet) along a sometimes narrow and always twisty trail rewards you with an unsurpassed view of high desert country stretching eastward into the horizon. Moon Country is the midpoint on Oregon's Border to Border trail system. The terrain in this area ranges from family-outing-tame to custom-hillclimb/hotrod-machine-challenging. But, the well-planned network of trails and accurately detailed maps won't spring any nasty surprises on your group.

The winter calendar is filled with events - poker runs, sno-cross and club rides that are always open to anyone, club member or visitor. New Years Day features a "Polar Bear Run" - a few, frosty laps around the Wanoga play area clad in helmets, gloves, boots, and swimsuits. Yes, folks actually participate in this frolic! The season is generally underway by early November, and there's a group of regulars who make Moon Mountain hillclimbing their traditional Memorial Weekend outing.

Along the Cascade Lakes Highway you'll find Elk Lake Resort, which caters to the snowmobile crowd with gas, emergency phone, restrooms, food and beverage, a few cabins, and the very best French fries you'll find anywhere. It's a laid-back, down-home, family-style place perched on the edge of a huge lake that laps at the base of Mt. Bachelor. Or, a short detour off Trail No. 5 at this trail's northeastern leg will lead you right to the Sunrise Lodge at the ski area, with food service, restrooms, and other skier-related amenities, but snowmobilers are always welcome.

Trails fan out from three sno-park lots. The Wanoga Butte Sno-Park (elevation approximately 4,000 feet) on the Cascade Lakes Highway about halfway between the town of Bend and the ski area, is the largest (and most crowded) parking facility, offering restrooms and a sizable warming shelter. Edison Sno-Park, just south of the Cascades Lake Highway on the Sunriver Highway, provides additional space in a more low-key atmosphere. The Dutchman Sno-Park, almost directly across from the entrance to the West Village section of the ski area and located at the end of the winter road plowing effort, is also popular with cross-country skiers.

Moon Country has one of the best-marked trail systems in the state, with maps available in the Wanoga warming hut, at the Wanoga map board, and in map boxes in various locations around the area. Trail systems are marked with orange diamonds on the left heading out from the sno-parks, on the right returning, multiple diamonds when approaching trails intersections, and blue diamonds for Nordic-only trails. Well-placed markers make it easy to stay on track between a deep, fresh dump of snow and the frequent grooming.

The "administration" of snowmobiling is a bit unique in Oregon. A license on your machine from any state or province means you're welcome to enjoy Oregon's trails, no other special fees or permits or club association necessary. The Oregon State Snowmobile Association purchases Tucker Snocats and grooming equipment, then provides them and a fuel allowance to 21 "grooming clubs" around. Done on a voluntary basis, members of these clubs keep the snowmobile trails in delectable condition. At Mt. Bachelor, for instance, the Moon Country Snowmobile Club grooms six nights a week, keeping 170 miles of trails in tip-top condition. The only thing you will need is an Oregon Sno-Park Permit, which runs $9 for a season and with three-day permits available. Oregon also has reciprocity with Washington, Idaho and California, so if you have a sno-park from one of these states you're all set!

The closest town is Bend, 16 miles from the Wanoga Butte Sno-Park on the Cascade Lakes Highway/Highway 46/Century Drive (same road, various names), with a wide variety and price range of motels and restaurants. There are a number of snowmobile dealers offering the full array of parts and service. If you don't have a snowmobile of your own, Fantastic Adventures operates out of the Wanoga Sno-Park and can provide sleds and guided tours (call 800-449-5640 or 503-389-5640).

You don't need to board a space flight to enjoy some otherworldly excitement -- just pack up and blast off to Moon Country, Oregon.

INFORMATION
Bend Chamber of Commerce
164 N.W. Hawthorne
Bend, Oregon 97701
503/382-3221

Bend Ranger District/
Deschutes National Forest
1230 N.E. Third, Suite A-262
Bend, Oregon 97701
503/388-5664

Elk Lake Resort
Leroy & Pat Hackbart
PO Box 789
Bend, Oregon 97709
Mobile Phone: YP7-6954

Fantastic Adventures
Jim & Gail Anderson
Box 7046
Bend, Oregon 97708
800/449-5640; 503/389-5640

Moon Country Snowmobile Club/OSSA District 4
Marilyn Peterson
60958 Targee
Bend, Oregon 97702
503/389-5470

Oregon State Snowmobile Association Peggy Spieger
PO Box 435,
LaPine, Oregon 97739
800/682-SNOW (7669)
FAX: 503/536-4099

Oregon State Tourism
595 Cottage Street N.E.
Salem, Oregon 97310
800/547-7842