Ochoco National Forest, OR
MLK weekend 2025: January 17-20, Fri,-Mon
Intermediate Ski
We will ski in the Ochoco Mountains about 30 miles east of Prineville in a relatively remote area of Oregon, taking advantage of the dry snow and wonderful views. We will be on the Walton Lake and Bandit Springs Forest Service trails. The last few years we have seen wild horses by Walton Lake and by the cabin.
We will be staying in an artfully constructed 1,145 square foot three-bedroom 1.5 bath two-story former ranger house, with a wonderful dining room table that accommodates our entire group, as well as a large knotty-pine paneled living room with comfortable seating for evening reading and chats. There is no cell service at the cabin.
If snow is lacking, we will do some hikes in the local area and over at the Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil beds. Participants are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Dinners will be potluck. Backcountry ski gear (NNN-BC bindings or better) required as skiing will be done on trails and ungroomed up and down terrain. Available beds: two double spaces and three singles (in one large room). The living room will not be available for alternate sleeping arrangements.
Trip limit: 6 participants including trip leader.
Cost: $60/member, per person, includes 3 nights lodging. Extra costs not included: travel expenses and meals.
Travel miles: 350 miles roundtrip from Portland plus mileage to Sno-parks.
Trip Leader: Martin Pike, pike1765@comcast.net