Things to See

[BobsST]

Hi all - My wife and I are both third generation Oregonians and have both lived here for 60 years. We love our state and where we live so there are some things we would hate to see you miss. So - from time to time, between now and the rally, I'll post some pics of places within an easy days ride from the Rally.

This first series will include Century Dr. which is a 100 mile loop (if starting from Bend) through the high Cascades passing by the Three Sisters, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. There are also many high lakes in this area, some with great little lodges that make for a good lunch stop. South Twin Lake and Cultus Lake have good restaurants and lakeside dining.

This first shot is of Elk Lake. It also has a lodge and boat rentals
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/11-sm.jpg
Paulina Lake - also has a lodge, boat rentals, camping and restaurant. Paulina Lake is not on the Century Dr. loop but is south of Sunriver off Hwy. 97. The road from 97 up to Paulina and East lakes is 13 miles of bliss. We lovingly call it P.I.R. (Paulina International Raceway)
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/14-sm.jpg
Also Paulina Lake
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/5-sm.jpg
Crater Lake is 95 miles south of Bend. Great lunch on the Rim at the main lodge.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/6-sm.jpg
Also Crater Lake
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/7-sm.jpg
East Lake is just past Paulina Lake and also has a small restaurant and boat rentals.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/9-sm.jpg
The South Sister from the Century Drive loop by Sparks Lake.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/Mt.jpg
Mt. Bachelor from Sparks Lake
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/Mt-1.jpg

Next time we'll head east of Redmond and Bend..............

[glenfiddich]

Thank you! I'll be riding 3400 miles to get there (more if I get distracted along the way), and my greatest fear is missing a must-ride road! :thumb

Pete

[R80Guy]

Thanks! I'm enjoying this, and am getting anxious for Rally time. Please keep them coming!

[ksport]

Thanks for the this thread, I would like to ride as many routes as I can, when I'm there.

[JohnRBeeson]

Wish I had a few of these to submit with the articles for the News. I didn't think I'd be writing stuff and didn't get specific pictures last summer. Had to select thru what I had to send in. These are much nicer than mine. You'll see that in the next few months magazines.

John B
Sisters, OR

[BobsST]

Hey John - you have a PM if you need more pics.

Bob

[BobsST]

A few more shots of areas around Century Dr. and west of Hwy.97. Generally if you head west of 97 you will be going into the mountains and pine forest. East of 97 you'll find high desert with juniper and sage. The dirt and gravel roads are endless for the GS riders but the pavement is great too.

You can make a day out riding the Aufderheide loop and throwing in McKenzie Pass on Hwy. 242 out of Sisters. In doing so you will see both the east and west side of the Cascade Range. The next three shots are at the top of Mckenzie Pass.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/Auf13.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/Auf2.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/Auf-15sm.jpg
You'll have to do some hiking to get up here. Mt. Bachelor in the background from the crater of Broken Top. Some good GS riding to the trail head from either the Sisters side or the Century Dr. side.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/BrokenTop.jpg
Devils Lake is on Century Dr. along one of the twisty parts.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/DevilsLake.jpg
Little Lava Lake is the head waters of the Deschutes River. Great Fly Fishing up here on both the lakes and rivers.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/LLL-sm.jpg
Intersection to Mt. Bachelor Ski area with Broken Top and South Sister in the background.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/MtB.jpg
In the summer you can take the Pine Martin chair lift up to the Pine Martin Lodge and get this view of the Three Sisters and Broken Top.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/PineMartin.jpg
Part of Century Dr. is closed during the winter. Things generally open up by Memorial Day.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/RoadClosed.jpg
Bennam Fall is on the Deschutes River, south of Bend by Lava Butte.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/4-sm.jpg
Another picture up on McKenzie Pass
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g313/BobsST/Rally%20Promo/Auf14.jpg

[Sunfire]

Beautiful pictures! I've never been to Oregon, so this will be my first time. I will be taking notes here so I can visit some of the areas you mention. Thanks for posting these pictures.:thumb

Paul

[rinty]

Thanks Bob; got these routes all marked on the map, now.

I take it, the Aufderheide Loop is 242 and 126, including Santiam Pass? I've ridden the south leg of that.

[54vintage]

Great bunch of shots of our wonderful state......for those who have never been here....you're going to love it!!

[BobsST]

FYI - For those fans of the Steve Miller Band he will be playing at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend's Old Mill District on Friday, July 16th. Nice outdoor venue on the banks of the Deschutes River with views of the Cascades.