Big Pine Country in the Ochoco Mountains

Ochoco National Forest, OR
Jan. 9-12, 2026, Fri – Mon
Intermediate Backcountry Ski

We will ski in the Ochoco Mountains about 30 miles east of Prineville in a relatively remote area of Oregon. 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.

Available beds: two double spaces and three singles (in one large room). The living room will not be available for alternate sleeping arrangements.

If snow is lacking, we will do some hikes in the local area or at the Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds or at the Crooked Wild and Scenic River.

Participants are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Dinners will be potluck (except Friday night). Ski gear suitable for backcountry is required, as skiing will be done on trails and ungroomed up-and-down terrain.

Trip limit:   6 participants including trip leader
Cost:  $60 per person. Extra costs not included: travel expenses and meals.
Travel miles:  From Portland, 350 miles round trip, plus mileage to the ski areas. Oregon Sno-park permit required for vehicles.
Trip Leader:  Martin Pike, pike1765@comcast.net