PAGE 6 • GO! MAGAZINE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021 • THE BULLETIN
THE OUTDOORS
bendbulletin.com/gooutdoors
Outdoor pick
of the week:
Pine Nursery
Park
The 159-acre park on Bend’s east side is
a popular weekend walking route for many
area residents. On New Year’s Day the park
was brimming with families, dogs, disc golf-
ers, kids on their bikes and rollerblades and
even some pickleball and beach volleyball
games commencing.
The 1.4-mile Pine Nursery Park Loop is a
paved path that surrounds the entire park.
It’s a great, even and wide trial that is acces-
sible from nearly every parking lot in the
park.
The trail passes under towering pine
trees, through open fields and along the
fishing pond all while offering occasional
mountain views and a near constant vista of
Pilot Butte.
Recently, the Empire Avenue extension
necessitated an underpass for pedestrian
traffic to access the nearby canal trail mak-
ing it easy and safe to visit the park from any
direction.
Skiing at
Swampy
Lakes
— Makenzie Whittle, The Bulletin
Mark Morical/Bulletin file photo
Ben Swinehart, of Bend, skis near Swampy Lakes.
BY MARK MORICAL • The Bulletin
S
wampy Lakes Sno-park, at about 5,800 feet in elevation just southwest of Bend, is known by wintertime outdoors
enthusiasts. But for skiers, Virginia Meissner Sno-park just a few miles away seems to be more popular. One
reason for those crowds is that the groomed trails at Meissner attract skate skiers, who require groomed trails for
skiing. Swampy Lakes has few groomed trails, so the area attracts mostly classic skiers, who can cut tracks through deep
snow. Swampy Lakes is popular among snowshoers. Miles and miles of well-marked trails, some designated for skiing and
others designated for snowshoeing, radiate from the sno-park.
Directions: From Bend, take Century Drive southwest toward Mount Bachelor. After about 17 miles, turn right at the sign for Swampy
Lakes Sno-park.
Parking: Sno-park permit required.
ý
Makenzie Whittle/The Bulletin
Jeannie Whittle walks her dogs, a
4-month-old black lab named Sitka and
basset hound named Lily, 11, around the
paved path at Pine Nursery Park.
Reporter: 541-383-0318, mmorical@bendbulletin.com
MORE
OUTDOORS
COVERAGE
Find places to explore, conditions,
expert columns and outstanding
features in The Bulletin’s new
Explore Central Oregon section
in Friday’s paper