McKenzie Pass – Santiam Pass Scenic Byway

During centuries of exploration and discovery, man has searched for how to get from one location to another.  Traveling from the east side of the Cascades to the west, long before the advent of highways like we have today, was likely a treacherous adventure.

First, pioneers would encounter the many miles of ancient lava fields, and then face steep elevations to crest the passes within this mountain range.  Our trip along this byway provided beauty (of nature) and wonder (of our predecessors).

The Byway is a circular trip, starting and ending in Sisters, OR.  We chose to go along Rt. 242 and over the McKenzie Pass first, continuing on Rt. 126 and then returning on Rt. 20 over Santiam Pass to Sisters.  Information on this 82 mile trip suggested scheduling 3-5 hours; we spent about 5 hours, having to miss some stops to return to later. 

The road was somewhat narrow and winding going up to McKenzie Pass, with evidence of volcanic activity all around us.  Viewpoints, though infrequent, did provide signage with information on the lava flows and mountain peaks. 

At the peak, all was lava.  In the 1930’s the CCC had worked on McKenzie Peak creating a lookout (Dee Wright Observatory), path and trail system for visitors then and now.  Openings in the Observatory walls have corresponding plaques telling which peak you see from that spot.

I doubt that much has changed since that Corps of young men built the structure.

One of the key reasons to travel to McKenzie Pass was the great views of several Cascade peaks –  including Mt. Jefferson, Mt Washington, Three Finger Jack, North, Middle and South Sisters.

Sisters seen from the lava beds

Mt. Jefferson seen behind a lava tube feature of the lava fields

Mt Washington seen to right behind the trail through the lava field

How could this have been a way for wagon trains to travel over the mountains?  It seemed so unlikely.  But we soon learned how industrious pioneers of the 1800s were!  A sign explained why wagons travelled through this pass, using a lava highway.  We could see faint remnants of this lava road near the Observatory.

Remnant of the wagon trail

White-winged Crossbill 

We also noted little wildlife in this rather desolate landscape (which was cold and windy) – but there was one little bird, an unexpected visitor.

We had read that Scott Lake was a good spot for photography of the North and Middle Sisters.  The Forest Service road into the lake was dirt but our low-clearance car still made it and several campers were staying in the area.  Looked like a great spot, but not with our RV!

Scott Lake

Leaving the pass and descending into beautiful forests, our next stop was a hike to see a set of waterfalls – Lower and Upper Proxy Falls.  Even in this forested area, lava mounds were evident.

Trail through the lichen-laden volcanic rock

Deeper into the forest

Lower Proxy Falls

Lower Proxy Falls

Upper Proxy Falls

As we traveled on Rt. 126, going along the McKenzie River, many people were enjoying time on the water.  Further upstream we took the pull-off for the Sahalie Falls – well worth the stop.  The blue water coming off the falls was magical.

Sahalie Falls

Sahalie Falls

Sahalie Falls

One of the last places we stopped was Historic Fish Lake – more about that in a later post.  For now, I continue to be amazed and energized by central Oregon.