bicycleboy

Hey all,
I'll be starting my west-east transam tomorrow and was checking to see if McKenzie Pass is open to bicyclists. I know I won't be there for another week, but does anyone know the details of when its open for riders and such? Thanks a lot.

keep truckin'

cemmes

It's not open yet. There was a ton of snow this year and haven't gotten around to plowing it yet. Also, its only supposed to be open for a couple weeks the entire summer due to construction and road work being done. It sucks, its supposed to be a pretty sweet ride right after it's plowed.

mrveloman

A quick search on the web revealed this from Oregon DOT: https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGIO...iePass2008.pdf

"Bridge replacement, heavy snowpack likely to keep west side of highway closed until Labor Day
McKENZIE BRIDGE–A stubborn snowpack with depths reaching 30 feet in some locations coupled with a safety project to replace two bridges will keep OR 242, on the west side of the McKenzie Pass, closed for much of the summer."

mrveloman

It does not appear promising. A quick search found this from Oregon DOT dated May 13, 2008:

"Bridge replacement, heavy snowpack likely to keep west side of highway closed until Labor Day
McKENZIE BRIDGE–A stubborn snowpack with depths reaching 30 feet in some locations coupled with a safety project to replace two bridges will keep OR 242, on the west side of the McKenzie Pass, closed for much of the summer."

https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGIO...5-13-08a.shtml

bicycleboy

thanks for the info. I'm heading out early tomorrow morning and you can follow along at https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=3810&v=1J if you're interested. yummy.

staehpj1

First, have a great trip.

When you get to the ranger station before McKenzie Pass ask some questions to be sure what the actual conditions are. Ask in a way that gets the real story rather than just the official answer. When we were there last year we got the answer that it was closed for the season as of the day before for construction. Asking more questions made it clear that nothing would prevent us from riding it anyway, since the road crews weren't actually working yet.

This year may be a different story entirely, but it doesn't hurt to ask. It is as someone already said a sweet ride.

lighthorse

I am sorry for this circumstance. That is one of the jewels of the TransAm. For those going east to west maybe there will be a way to get through when the snow melts. The road over the pass was closed last year as well when I went through but bicycles could get through, they were clearing up trees and stuff that had fallen on the roadway.