... and mountain after mountain

summit on the santiam pass - mckenzie pass oregon scenic byway: travel oregon in the willamette national forest in the cascade mountains of oregon. travel oregon on the west cascades national scenic byway. hiking oregon and the waterfalls loop trails on the wild and scenic mckenzie rivers, see koosah waterfalls on the wild and scenic mckenzie rivers, sahalie waterfalls on the wild and scenic mckenzie rivers, find hiking trails in oregon on the wild and scenic mckenzie river: the mckenzie rivers national hiking trails, the waterfall loop hiking trails, see the blue pool, blue hole, hardened lava flows, the wild and scenic clackamas river, the mt hood national forest, hot springs, bagby hot springs, terwilliger hot springs, cougar reservoir, cougar hot springs, the south mckenzie river, roaring river, cougar dam, the wild and scenic north fork of the middle willamette river, travel the mckenzie pass santiam pass oregon scenic byway in the willamette national forest, and find lava flows. the cascade mountains, volcanoes, geology, hiking trails to mountain lakes, hiking trails in the mt jefferson wilderness, the three 3 sisters wilderness, the mt washington wilderness, the big bottom wilderness, the roaring river wilderness, hiking trails to waterfalls on the mckenzie pass santiam pass oregon scenic byway, old growth forests, connect with the over the river and through the woods scenic byway, hwy 20, and find hiking trails in the menagerie wilderness, the middle santiam wilderness, the south santiam river, the cascade mountains, the cascades, hiking trails in the menagerie wilderness of the willamette national forest, hiking trails in the old cascades in oregon, hiking trails located in old growth forests and amidst fields of wildflowers in the willamette national forest of oregon. hiking trails in old growth forests are included in the following: the santiam old wagon road, pyramid hiking trail, rooster rock hiking trail, iron mountain hiking trail, tombstone pass hiking trail, chimney peak hiking trail, gate creek hiking trail, cone peak hiking trail, huckleman old growth hiking trail, house rock hiking trail, hike in the 3 three sisters wilderness on french pete creek. camping at paradise campground with lovely old growth trees, at clear lake campground, at fernview campground, house rock campground, lost prairie campground; trout creek campground.

Mt Washington in the forefront, Broken Top
peeking out from behind, & Mt Jefferson in the distance ... &
trees find place to grow in lava flows from Yapooah Crater

You can make this drive in 81.5-mile loop through the center of the Cascade Range, through hardened lava flows and forests, and along the wild and scenic McKenzie River. This Oregon scenic byway travels through some the most amazing and beautiful mountain landscapes. The two-lane highways (with passing lanes on Hwy 126) are paved. Hwy 242, the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass has several switchbacks climbing the mountain range. The corners are tight, and towed units are vehicles more than 22 feet long are prohibited. The scenic byway is closed during winter. Expect it open sometime around the 4th of July, but check with the Willamette National Forest to make certain of both opening and closing. Special attractions include volcanoes, and hardened lava flows; rivers and montain lakes; extensive mountain views. On some days one can see as far north as Mt Hood, 70 miles in the distance. Always see the mountains displayed in this photo. The scenic byway offers access to the Mount Jefferson and Mount Washington Wilderness Areas; Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail; developed and undeveloped hot springs; hiking trails to waterfalls.

There are many hiking trails to access on the Santiam Pass - McKenzie Pass Oregon Scenic Byway, hwy 242, accessed 2 miles after the Ranger Station on hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass.

Some are hiking trails easy and some more difficult. A short list of hiking trails: Directions.

travel oregon on the west cascades national scenic byway. hiking oregon and the waterfalls loop trails on the wild and scenic mckenzie rivers, see koosah waterfalls on the wild and scenic mckenzie rivers, sahalie waterfalls on the wild and scenic mckenzie rivers, find hiking trails in oregon on the wild and scenic mckenzie river: the mckenzie rivers national hiking trails, the waterfall loop hiking trails, see the blue pool, blue hole, hardened lava flows, the wild and scenic clackamas river, the mt hood national forest, hot springs, bagby hot springs, terwilliger hot springs, cougar reservoir, cougar hot springs, the south mckenzie river, roaring river, cougar dam, the wild and scenic north fork of the middle willamette river, travel the mckenzie pass santiam pass oregon scenic byway in the willamette national forest, and find lava flows. the cascade mountains, volcanoes, geology, hiking trails to mountain lakes, hiking trails in the mt jefferson wilderness, the three 3 sisters wilderness, the mt washington wilderness, the big bottom wilderness, the roaring river wilderness, hiking trails to waterfalls on the mckenzie pass santiam pass oregon scenic byway, old growth forests, connect with the over the river and through the woods scenic byway, hwy 20, and find hiking trails in the menagerie wilderness, the middle santiam wilderness, the south santiam river, the cascade mountains, the cascades, hiking trails in the menagerie wilderness of the willamette national forest, hiking trails in the old cascades in oregon, hiking trails located in old growth forests and amidst fields of wildflowers in the willamette national forest of oregon. hiking trails in old growth forests are included in the following: the santiam old wagon road, pyramid hiking trail, rooster rock hiking trail, iron mountain hiking trail, tombstone pass hiking trail, chimney peak hiking trail, gate creek hiking trail, cone peak hiking trail, huckleman old growth hiking trail, house rock hiking trail, hike in the 3 three sisters wilderness on french pete creek. camping at paradise campground with lovely old growth trees, at clear lake campground, at fernview campground, house rock campground, lost prairie campground; trout creek campground.

Forward ~ Dee Wright Observatory at the Summit.

Back ~ Three Sisters on the Summit.

USFS: Willamette National Forest.

Explore the West Cascades National Scenic Byway: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery: mountains, wildflowers, lava flows, wild and scenic rivers, waterfalls, old growth forests, hiking trails, hot springs, mountain lakes, campgrounds. Or, perhaps and, the Willamette Pass in the Cascade Mountains: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery, and the Crescent Lake, Oakridge "Inback" Tour: Travel Directions and Map.

You may want to extend the West Cascades National Scenic Byway Tour to include the Willamette Pass in the Cascade Mountains: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery and the Crescent Lake, Oakridge "Inback" Tour: Travel Directions and Map.

While you're out and about you might want to extend your visit and ...

Discover the splendor of the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass Oregon Scenic Byway, Hwy 242: Directions to hiking trails. The Scenic Byway can be accessed either in Sisters, Oregon or from Hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass. Find the turnoff two miles east of the Ranger Station for the Willamette National Forest. Sites to see.

If you're heading west from Sisters, Oregon, traveling the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass Oregon Scenic Byway and are interested in exploring the West Cascades National Scenic Byway, you may want to turn right on Oregon Hwy 126 when you come down off of the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass Oregon Scenic Byway, otherwise known as Oregon Hwy 242, and follow the Oregon Hwy 126 on the West Cascades National Scenic Byway: Travel Directions, Map: north and south, a select few forest service campgrounds on Hwy 126, and Scenery. Or perhaps you might choose to connect with the Over the River and through the Woods Scenic Byway, Oregon Hwy 20. The sign for Hwy 20 is clearly marked from Hwy 126. Take the cutoff for Hwy 20, the Over the River and through the Woods Oregon Scenic Byway and find the graceful South Santiam River, lovely campgrounds and Hiking Trails to wildflowers, amongst old growth forests, in both the old and high Cascades of the Willamette National Forest: Directions to and Descriptions of Trails and Campgrounds.

The West Cascades National Scenic Byway provides easy access to the Three Sisters Wilderness, the Mt Jefferson Wilderness and the Mt Washington Wilderness, all located in the Willamette National Forest.

You may want to extend the West Cascades National Scenic Byway Tour to include the Willamette Pass in the Cascade Mountains: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery and the Crescent Lake, Oakridge "Inback" Tour: Travel Directions and Map.

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in southern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

stay at gathering light ... a retreat in southern oregon. travel oregon and experience volcanoes, geology, hiking trails, oregon geology, rogue siskiyou national forest, wild and scenic rogue river, wild and scenic umpqua river, rogue gorge at union creek, oregon, national rogue river hiking trail, rogue national forest, national forests, wilderness areas, national wildlife refuges, wetlands, klamath basin, prospect, oregon, mill creek waterfalls on the rogue river, barr creek waterfalls on the rogue river, avenue of giant boulders on the rogue river, hiking trails to mill creek waterfalls, hiking trails to barr creek waterfalls on the rogue river, hiking trails to national creek waterfalls in the rogue siskiyou national forest, hiking trails along the rogue river, hiking trails to the natural bridge, hiking trails at crater lake national park, crater lake national park, hiking trails on the wild and scenic rogue river, hiking trails to national creek waterfalls, national wildlife refuges, wetlands, rabbit ears, the cascade mountains, the old cascade mountains, mt thielsen, hiking trails at crater lake, crater lake national park.

Travel to Gathering Light .... a retreat on the West Cascades National Scenic Byway: Directions, Map & Scenery: hiking trails, waterfalls, wild & scenic rivers, mountains, volcanoes, hot springs, Oregon scenic byways, wilderness areas & more.

Travel Directions to & Day Trips in either Oregon or California of about 100 miles from the retreat.

Explore little known Scenic Places: hiking trails, wetlands, wildlife refuges, mountains, river gorges, wilderness areas, wildlife viewing, birding trails & more near Crater Lake & the retreat: Travel Directions Map & Scenery.

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Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.