Gallery - Ski Tour

Bicycles are an incredible marriage of simplicity and versatility. They are in my mind the pinnacle of the evolution of transportation technology. Often times a bike is not only a fun way to get from point A to B, but also the only way. During the spring and early summer months, the McKenzie Scenic Highway remains closed to motor vehicles while the snow melts back. There exists a brief window of opportunity when the snow has melted far enough to allow cyclists exclusive access to this beautiful ride. My friend, Jay Gress and I took advantage of this opportunity to to ride up to the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness and attempt to climb the Middle Sister from the west side. We began our adventure at the LTD bus station in downtown Eugene, where we loaded our bikes and skis onto the bike racks on the bus. By using the bus we kept one more car off the busy highway and left the driving to the professionals!

We got off the buses at 6:00am at the McKenzie Bridge Ranger Station and started up the pass under grey skies and the threat of rain. While I chose to carry my skis strapped to my bicycle, Jay opted to carry them in his pack. Our panniers carried plastic tele boots and our crampons. Our backpacks were filled with food, extra clothes and our sleeping bags.

By mid-morning we reached the end of the clear pavement and had to push our heavily laden bikes through the wet snow patches that gradually increased in length and frequency. Just beyond Dead Horse Grade we stashed our bikes off the side of the road among the trees and began hiking.

We chose the most direct route to the base of the mountain by following an old lava flow that flowed out of the Collier Cone and passes just south of Sims Butte. This mist, and exposed rocks made for difficult navigation.

That night we camped near tree line, ate well and slept soundly until our alarm sounded at 4:00am. We awoke to a starry sky revealed by the parting clouds.

The rising sun burned away the clouds exposing Belknap Crater, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Jefferson.

		The icy snow required us to use crampons and carry ice axes for safe travel. We hoped that the sun would soften up the mountain before we descended so our skis would find purchase on the slopes.
Relatively young geologically, The Middle Sister's gentle flanks don't show the marks of glaciers which have carved away portions of her older neighbors the North Sister, Mt. Washington and Three Fingered Jack. For us this fact translates into good skiing terrain.

Before descending, we waited for the snow to soften just enough for our skis to hold an edge, but not too soft which would sacrifice glide and make it more difficult to turn.
Timing, patience and an understanding of the natural landscape are essential to the back-country traveller.
You don't conquer the mountain, you wait until she lets you play on her slopes!

A Giro bicycle helmet serves double duty as a skiing helmet.

On the way home, Jay pauses to view the Sisters beyond Obsidian Cliffs.

From the summit it is downhill just about the entire way. Coasting down the McKenzie Highway in the bright sun is a welcome reward for the past two day's effort.
We arrive in McKenzie Bridge with some time to kill before the bus arrives so we purchase some of Deschutes Brewery's finest brew and relax by the side of the road. We were lucky on this trip to have great weather and return safely. Both Jay and I marvel at the diversity of things we've seen and done over the past two days. There aren't many places where you can breath some thin air, ski down a glacier, sip beer by an ancient Douglas-fir and be home in time for dinner!