... 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.

Brad and I invite you to take 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.

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.

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

Travel Directions to and Day Trips of about 100 miles from the retreat.

Little known Scenic Places to explore and photograph nature untrammeled: hiking with and without trails, wetlands, wildlife refuges, mountains, river gorges, wilderness areas, wildlife viewing and more near Crater Lake and the retreat: Travel Directions Map and Scenery.

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