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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 2017)
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Oregon’s Santiam Pass is a winter wonderland By Zach Urness (Salem) Statesman Journal SANTIAM PASS (AP) — Winter has arrived in Oregon’s mountains. As such, it’s time for ski- ers, snowshoers, snowmobil- ers and sledders to find pow- dery fun at Santiam Pass’ collection of sno-parks. A seasonal permit of $25 will give you access to 11 different parks east of Salem, along with the miles of trails they provide access to. Each park is different. Some, like McCoy, are havens for snowmobilers. Others, like Maxwell, cater to snowshoers looking for scen- ery. Santiam is the place for sledding, while Ray Benson can’t be beat for cross-county skiing. There is, in a nutshell, something for everyone, reports the (Salem) Statesman Journal. Here’s a short breakdown, ranked from lowest to highest elevation, of what each sno- park offers. The best way to navigate sno-parks’ numer- ous trails is to stop at Detroit Ranger Station and pick up a Santiam Pass winter rec- reation map. Call ahead to check hours: 503-854-3366. The directions below are from Salem; the area can also be reached from other cities on the west side of the Cascade Range, and on the east side, from Bend. (Always be prepared for winter conditions when driv- ing in the mountains.) Maxwell Sno-Park In a nutshell: A favor- ite for snowshoers and cross-country skiers, with 360-degree mountain views, two snow shelters and a wide collection of well-marked trails ranging in difficulty. Elevation: 3,700 feet Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing Trails: Seven trails total- ing 22.8 miles Difficulty: Easy to most difficult Shelters: Mountain View Shelter (on Mountain View Loop) and South Maxwell Shelter (on South Maxwell Loop) Amenities: Bathrooms Usage: Medium to heavy Directions: From Salem, drive east on Highway 22 for 81 miles (3 miles before Santiam Junction). Maxwell Sno-Park is on the left and has a narrow entrance to a large parking area hid- den behind a stand of trees (across from Big Springs Sno-Park). Big Springs Sno-Park In a nutshell: Wooded snowshoe routes that lead all the way to Lava Lake, with snowmobile access to a 40-mile network of trails. Elevation: 3,700 feet Activities: Skiing, snow- shoeing, snowmobiling Trails: Five trails of 15.8 miles for skis/snowshoes; 40 miles of snowmobile trail access Difficulty: Easy to most difficult Shelters: None Amenities: Bathrooms Usage: Light Directions: From Salem, take Highway 22 east for about 81 miles (3 miles before Santiam Junction). Big Springs is on right side of highway (just across from Maxwell Sno-Park). Potato Hill Sno-Park In a nutshell: Old-growth forest and panoramic views of Three Fingered Jack and Mount Washington near the top of namesake hill, on a popular and fairly easy snow- shoeing route. Elevation: 4,200 feet Activities: Skiing, snowshoeing Trails: Two trails totaling 6.2 miles Difficulty: Easy to more difficult Shelters: None Amenities: None Usage: Light Directions: From Salem, take Highway 22 east 84 miles to the Highway 20/ Highway 126 Santiam Junction. Continue east on Highway 20 another mile to parking area on right side of road. DON’T MISS OUT on this week’s inserts in The Nugget: BI-MART: Get ready to watch the games on a new 50" High-Defi nition Magnavox LED/LCD TV and save $100! Regularly $399.99, now $299.99! RAY’S FOOD PLACE: The Fantastic Friday One-day Deal on January 20 is a favorite! Progresso Soup , select 19-oz. cans , 99¢ each for the fi rst six! Santiam Sno-Park In a nutshell: Best-known for the “snow play” area, which includes a sledding/ tubing hill popular with fam- ilies. Also provides access to Pacific Crest Trail and the backcounty area around Three Fingered Jack. Elevation: 4,800 feet Activities: Skiing, snow- shoeing, tubing Trails: One trail of 1.2 miles that connects to the Pacific Crest Trail into the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. Not marked beyond wilder- ness boundary. Difficulty: Easy Shelters: None Amenities: Bathrooms Usage: Heavy, mostly among sledders. Directions: From Salem, take Highway 22 east 84 miles to the Highway 20/ Highway 126 Santiam Junction. Continue east on Highway 20 for another 5 miles, passing the turnoff to Hoodoo Ski Area, to the parking area on the left. Ray Benson Sno-Park In a nutshell: The largest and best-known sno park on Santiam Pass, with views of the surrounding mountains and a large network of trails. The favorite destination of cross-county skiers. Elevation: 4,800 feet Activities: Skiing, snow- shoeing, snowmobiling, mushing (sled dogs) Trails: Eight trails totaling 67.7 miles, with snowshoe- ing/skiing (six), snowmobil- ing (three), mushing (one) Difficulty: Easy to most difficult Shelters: North Blowout Shelter and South Blowout Shelter Amenities: Two rest- rooms, warming hut, orienta- tion maps, staging area with snub posts for sled dogs Usage: Heavy Directions: From Salem, take Highway 22 east 84 miles to the Highway 20/ Highway 126 Santiam Junction. Continue east on Highway 20 for another 5 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 2690, which is the entrance of Ray Benson Sno-Park and Hoodoo Ski Area. Continue past Hoodoo another half a mile into the Ray Benson parking lot. Ikenick Sno-Park One of the least-known snowshoe routes on Santiam Pass begins at this park. Ikenick Sno-Park, just off Highway 126, sits at the fairly low elevation of 3,200 feet. Because of that, it hasn’t gotten much snow since 2011 and consequently hasn’t had many visitors. That finally changed last year and has continued into this season — the snowiest since 2001. The Isaac Nickerson Loop is 4.4 miles and climbs 472 feet, passing multiple view- points of the Cascade Range and dipping into snowy for- est. It’s well-marked and easy to follow. Directions: From Salem, head east on Highway 22, past Detroit, to Santiam Junction. Turn right onto Highway 20/126 and then continue straight on Highway 126 toward Eugene. At mile- post 3 on Highway 126, turn right at signs for Ikenick Sno-Park. Coordinates: N44 22.422' W122 00.249' Other Santiam Pass Sno-Parks Corbett Sno-Park: Nine ski/snowshoe trails, located east of Santiam Pass and Hoodoo Ski Area in Deschutes National Forest off Highways 22/20; eleva- tion 4,200 21 Obama expands National Monument ASHLAND (AP) — President Barack Obama has expanded the Cascade- Siskiyou National Monument in southwestern Oregon to protect its rich biodiversity. The expansion announced Thursday adds about 48,000 acres to a landscape of rich forests, grasslands and shrubs that was established as a monument in 2000. It includes about 5,000 acres in northern California. Obama said in his proc- lamation that the expansion will create a landscape that will connect vital habitat, protect the watershed and preserve the area’s extraordi- nary biodiversity. The monu- ment, originally 65,000 acres, is home to rare plant and ani- mal species. Conservation groups and Oregon’s Democratic U.S. senators praised the decision. Oregon Public Broadcasting says detractors have expressed concern that a larger monument would hurt the region’s economy with limits on logging and graz- ing. The Oregon Cattleman’s Association said in a news release that the decision will have a rippling effect on ranchers, farmers and outdoor enthusiasts. One person, over time, can turn a life around Become a mentor for a child in Sisters! • Work with kids kindergarten onward • Are you too busy to mentor? Consider co-mentoring with a friend or family member. Learn more: 541-588-6445 or info@acircleoff riendsoregon.com — Circle of Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization —