mtnbud

According to the Oregonian, McKenzie Pass is plowed clear through. Does anyone know if this is true? All the info I'm reading is riding from Sisters to the top and back down to Sisters. Has anyone ridden the whole length this year?

Pictures from Sisters Eurosports.

Edit: Looks like it's not plowed clear through yet. Thanks for the update Shifty.

(Is there a way to change the title on this post?)

choteau

Early this year, I might try it! Tim

Shifty

This was posted on ODOT website on Friday:
The gate at White Branch mile post 61.8 is open to Alder Springs mile post 65.89, where the second gate is closed. The remainder is closed for now. The clearing of snow has not been completed across the entire length of the Mckienzie pass. Road is not maintained for public travel. Bikers/hikers, use extra caution as there is debris, snow and ice on roadway and watch out for ODOT maintenance vehicles. Road remains CLOSED to unauthorized motorized vehicles. Earliest opening date for motorized traffic is the third Monday in June, unless other road maintenance or late snow conditions require later opening. All updates will be posted on this site as soon as they are known.

mtnbud

Thanks Shifty! I was having a hard time believing it was cleared all the way through. That article was written in such a way as to make me think that it was.

Shifty

I felt the same as you when I read that article, real sketchy on the west side conditions, and nothing really from ODOT, other than the probable date for opening the road to cars. I went to ODOT's site and finally came up with that post from Friday. I'm giving it another two weeks, it will be clear for bikes from the west by then and the weather will be better too.
I'll post here if I hear reports from Eugene riders who go up this week because of the articles today. Nothing better than rider reports.

mtnbud

Sound thinking. I'm considering riding it on Memorial Day weekend even though I usually try to avoid driving anywhere on those days.

enigmaT120

I'm lazy; I'd like somebody to give me a ride to Sisters and I would ride back....

B. Carfree

It's plowed and ready to ride. ODOT warns bicyclists of road conditions on old McKenzie Highway | News | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon

KRhea

Here's a photo set from our ride yesterday. We rode from east to west. 3miles over the summit there was some slush on the roadway from snow that had fallen Saturday and Sunday night. It was still rideable and I'd guess with today's temps it's probably 100% clear by now.

This set is from the bottom, beginning the ride up to the summit and then a couple on the descent.

P5120036 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5120042 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5130061 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5130058 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5130069 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5130070 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5130083 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
P5130088 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
S0777690 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr
S0827717 by KRhea FrzFrmFoto, on Flickr

mtnbud

Conditions on the pass were wonderful Saturday. One more weekend to take advantage of this before they open the gates on Monday the 16th.

busygizmo

Thanks for posting the info and trip report. This is now on my "must ride" list.

Long drive from Seattle and lack of available time off this year will push it untli next year but it will be something to look forward too.

One of these years I'd like to get over to Winthrop before they open Highway 20 and ride to Washington Pass sans cars, anytime I can ride a beatiful mountain road without traffic is great.

B. Carfree

If you will settle for the smaller lumps of the Coast Range, come on down this September (assuming we get this ride going again) for the Duncan Ride. Last year's details: https://www.bikeforums.net/pacific-no...tury-plus.html

I think we had two cars pass us in the first hundred miles last year, so it's definitely a low traffic adventure. You're more likely to see a bear or bobcat than a car in the first eighty miles.

If you decide to give it a go, I strongly recommend taking the train here if you live anywhere near the Cascades line.

Shifty

Keep in mind that the road over McKenzie Pass is a great ride anytime (when there is no snow). Even when the gate is open for cars, there is very light traffic and cars go slow compared to other highways.

My favorite time to ride this road is after labor day, traffic drops off considerably and the fall colors in the forests are spectacular.

The views of the high Cascade peaks, the dramatic volcano vents and lava flows, high pine forests on the east side and lush west side forests make this the special experience that I find truly unique in Oregon.

People who only ride McKenzie Pass when the gates are closed to cars are missing the best this road has to offer.

busygizmo

That Duncan Ride sounds great. We'll be in Europe most of September hence the lack of days off for anything else. We spend a fair amount of time in Oregon for recreation so it's a fair bet we ge down there for at least one of these. I don't really like to go all the way down there unless I have a few days to enjoy myself.

We did a MT Adams ride a couple of years and they have 2 approximately 50 mile loops and the one they call the forest loops sounds a lot like the ride you are talking about. Lots of lumpy hills on Forest Service roads with very little traffic.

I have to admit that mountain passes/climbs with great views are our favorite rides.

I'm not opposed to riding with cars, its just that the opportunity to ride without them is a bonus and if you are looking at a 6 hour drive it might be the added incentive needed.

There are two short but great climbing rides up here if you want to do a couple of scenic climbs without cars. Ride 542 goes from Glacier to Artist Point. Stunning views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. Ride the Hurricane goes up Hurricane Ridge.

percy kittens

I was just up there a couple days ago. Hardly any snow. Great ride. When vimeo uploads the vid I took from the DW Observatory I will post it. Though at the rate it is going there could be new snowfall by then.

percy kittens

Taken June 10 2014. Better with the sound off unless you enjoy wind scratch and the panting of a woman after a 5300 ft climb.
https://vimeo.com/98182188