Ochoco National Forest, OR
Mar 11 – Mar 14, Tue – Fri
Intermediate Ski on ungroomed trails
Come ski and ogle this enchanting area of rolling, forested high country in the Ochoco Mountains about 25 miles east of Prineville. This relatively remote area of Oregon is known for its dry snow, butterscotch smelling ponderosa pine forests,and expansive views. We will ski the Walton Lake Forest Service trails for 2 days with 20 miles of trails to choose from. Some favorite 8-to-10-mile tours with generous vistas and approximately 1000 ft gain include a loop along the High Rim trail and a ski up Slide Mountain. A half-day ski during travel days would be an option for individual carpools.
We will be staying at Ochoco National Forest Ranger House, a well-lived-in former forest ranger home. The house is furnished with 1.5 bathrooms and 3 large bedrooms; two rooms with queen beds and a co-ed room with three twin beds. The house has electric lights, hot water, and heat. The kitchen is a bit worn but fully functional with cook stove, refrigerator and plenty of basic kitchenware and cleaning supplies. There is no dishwasher. A large wooden dining room table and a spacious knotty-pine paneled living room with comfortable Mission-style seating add to the charm. There is no cell service at the cabin.
Participants are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Two dinners will be potluck. Backcountry ski gear (NNN-BC bindings or better) required as skiing will be done on ungroomed trails with variable terrain. New this year, trail crews from the Portland and Central Oregon ONC chapters added fresh diamonds and brushed the trails at Walton Lake so navigation should be greatly improved. Even so, I would recommend participants have good navigational skills with map and compass or GPS app. 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.
This trip segues nicely with joining the John Craig Memorial ski race and tour Saturday March 15, 2025 on the Old McKenzie pass near Sisters, OR.
Trip limit: 6 participants, including trip leader
Cost: $55/participant. Includes 3 nights lodging. Excludes cost of travel and meals.
Carpool miles: 350 miles round trip from Portland, plus additional miles to trailheads.
Trip Leader: Audrey Bergsma, audznd@yahoo.com