Public Lands

Bend Bulletin: The Future of Central Oregon’s Wilderness is at Stake

Hikers could be turned away at the South Sister trailhead. Mountaineers could see day-of weather dash their plans after having secured a wilderness permit weeks or months in advance. Visitors could be required to buy a permit to use the wilderness.

Any or all of these restrictions are included among five options being considered under the U.S. Forest Service’s Central Cascades Wilderness Strategies Project.

Bend Bulletin: Equestrians, Mountain Bikers, Vie for Trails

When Kim McCarrel recently saddled up Bella, her chestnut-colored Tennessee walker, and set out on a group ride at Maston Trailhead in the Cline Buttes Recreation Area, a mountain biker darted into the periphery. Ears pricked, Bella slowed her trot and trained her attention toward the juniper trees through which the cyclist disappeared. 

Bend Bulletin: Bikepacking the Cascades

…We would climb almost 16,000 feet in a 155-mile loop on gravel and paved country roads on the west side of the Cascades, a two-hour drive from Bend. It would involve summiting snow-capped Bohemia Mountain and sourcing drinking water from creeks and rivers, where we’d also bathe and wash our clothes.