Each September, the Thrilla Cyclocross Series has been the heart of casual bike racing here in Bend for 20 years.
The words of John Muir—“The mountains are calling and I must go”—echo with every footfall and inspire the goal of reaching a mountain summit.
Mountain biking starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.
Enjoy the heat while it lasts! Here’s a run-down of ten ways to cool off in the high desert and dip in a watery oasis this summer.
Routing the Climbing Course It’s late morning as Alan Watts pulls up at Smith Rock State Park. We first climbed here almost 40 years ago, when Watts was establishing a […]
Throw, Hike, Repeat Just about every 1970s American household had at least one Frisbee sitting on a garage shelf, buried in a toy bin, or resting in the backyard where […]
A short walk from the forested parking lot to the put-in above Benham Falls on the upper Deschutes River. The kayakers, including Axel Hovorka, Orion Junkins, Ciaran Brown and Noah Metzler, […]
Winter is a long season in Bend but that’s also why many of us live here. For Bend-based, professional triathletes Paula Findlay and Eric Lagerstrom, winter is their “off-season,” a […]
The first rule of gravel riding: Always carry a first-aid kit. And salami. Oh, and a fly rod if possible.
Fair-weather skiers rejoice the return of Oregon’s ideal conditions.
Photo by Trevor Lyden While more established winter pastimes such as Nordic and downhill skiing have surged in popularity in the past few years, fat biking is growing at a […]
The Meissner Nordic Ski Club was at it again, and the Forest Service roads and paths southwest of Bend were once again magically transformed into glorious ribbons of cold, corduroy […]
Plus, where you can bring your dog.
The Lightning Springs trail offers a spectacular shoulder season hiking opportunity to explore the western flank of ancient Mount Mazama in Crater Lake National Park. Historically, the trail was once […]
The news is out: backcountry touring has seeped into our vernacular. While it may have started with pandemic resort closures and a desire for distance, evidence of the uptick in […]
I arrived in Paisley in the afternoon with the sun still high. Michael Norris, owner and guide of Paisley Adventure, and I were going to do a ride on the first […]
Mount Ashland, 4:40 a.m.—With the sun still hiding behind the evergreens, nearby speakers sparked to life as music blasted to shatter the calm. Rolling out of bed, Nic Feldkamp rose […]
Rent a mountain bike in Bend and you’ll likely find these guidelines on a sticker attached to the top bar of your bike. The rental bike stickers were designed and […]
Mackenzie Stabler was nervous. Dressed in a waxed canvas vest with a badger fur collar and a black helmet, she fixed her horse with heavy bags and equipment for the […]
The bug bit early. LB Gossett first started rollerblading as a child, at an indoor skating rink called Skatin’ Jakes in Chattanooga, Tennessee before taking her new hobby outdoors to […]
They say geology is the study of pressure and time. Lucky for the rockhounds in Central Oregon, geological time is on our side. In certain circles, Central Oregon has long […]
Photo by Nate Wyeth On a hot summer’s day in Bend, it can seem like the entire town is in the Deschutes River. According to the Bend Park and Recreation […]
The best way to keep from growing old, according to Tim Casinelli, age 54, is to never lose your love of play. As the general manager of Deschutes Brewery & […]
When the frost has thawed and the stoneflies make their debut, it’s go-time in the Lower Deschutes River canyon. This part of north-central Oregon is sleepy in the winter, but […]
A bounty of spring and summer wildflowers blesses Oregon. Early in the season, wildflowers arise and unfurl their petals much to the delight of wildflower enthusiasts and pollinators, alike.
While mountain trails are buried beneath blankets of snow, what better way is there to enjoy spring than hiking along one of Central Oregon’s many river trails? Try this option […]
The Madras East Hills Trail System is Central Oregon’s newest and potentially unique trail system, offering downhill-adrenaline and uphill climbs just an hour’s drive from Bend.
Want to up your own tailgating game? Learn from these Central Oregonians who take après outdoor gatherings to a championship level.
As climate change becomes one of the most significant issues of our time, POW is turning outdoor enthusiasts into climate advocates.
Every few years, gear, equipment and mountain culture have a way of reinventing themselves. Terrain parks have transformed in only a few decades.
Bend’s backcountry is alive and well, with more people choosing to explore these areas than ever before. Ready to get started?
The Willamette Pass area has it all: sno-parks, snowmobile trails, a ski resort, overnight lodging and restaurants, plus a whole lot of wild places.
The weather might be cooler, but some trails typically remain snow-free and just right for an easy hike.
Fall provides an excellent opportunity to access two higher elevation hikes in the Central Cascades west of McKenzie Pass.
The Rogue Siskiyou National Forest is a 1.8 million acre expanse of some of the most unique and biodiverse land one can find in the nation; the perfect place to spend your fall hiking the many mountains, rivers and lakes that dot and wind through the landscape.
Finding ways to alter one’s state of consciousness is human nature. For some, the gravity-assisted sport of downhill mountain biking does just that.
The intoxicating combination of the McKenzie River and the Willamette National Forest is extraordinarily otherworldly.
While the majority of park visitors enjoy only the overlooks and viewpoints along Rim Drive at Crater Lake National Park, trail lovers will find much to rejoice here.
Try these four shoulder season hikes located in the high desert or Cascade foothills while waiting for hot summer days to open up the high-country trails.
Not a bad way to wake from a winter slumber.
For many reasons, exploring what lies beyond the out-of-bounds signs of developed ski resorts by backcountry skiing is a popular way to recreate in Central Oregon.
Time to lace up sneakers, skip the treadmill and hit the trails.
Trails that are clear of snow and crowds.
In 1921, road trips as recreation were taking off, and the state commission was tasked with creating state parks for drivers on Oregon’s brand-new highway system to visit for rest, relaxation and exploration.
The allure of fly fishing is one that has been deeply romanticized, so much so that it has been canonized in modern books, movies and TV shows as a sport so spiritual and pure that it is near godly.
Come December seventh, opening day, Bachelor’s 62nd season was off to a shotgun start. Take your mark, get set, ski!
There is an old adage, “If you can walk, you can snowshoe.” This bodes well for a popular winter activity that, truly, the whole family can share.
With winter on the way, here are four of our favorite hot spring adventures for stripping down and warming up within a morning’s drive of Bend.
Open spaces outdoors, distance between players, tee times booked in advance and long, leisurely games—it’s hard to envision a more pandemic-friendly sport than golf.
From the summit of Paulina Peak, nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, you can peer into the heart of the Newberry Caldera, home to the Big Obsidian Flow, East Lake and Paulina Lake.
Central Oregon has many lakes, reservoirs and rivers for people to enjoy as temperatures begin to rise, and the summer heat sets in.
You’ve got the motivation, the gusto and are determined to make a go of climbing. So where to begin? The indoors is a great spot to start.
Much has changed since the game of golf’s formative days, when shepherds in Scotland would pass long hours by knocking a pebble with a stick at a target, counting strokes along the way.
The earliest travelers and trappers used rivers as a means of transportation and rapids were an obstacle that had to be navigated as a matter of course. Today, the rivers are mapped and the routes well established, but it’s no less thrilling. Adventure Bucket List: Water
Katie Burnett finds her home green in Bend.
Mountain biking is usually thought of as an intense sport, but the trails around Bend offer something for everyone.
Now’s the time to hike crowd-free.
Author Jason Chinchen aims to unify the Central Oregon bouldering community.
Grab your climbing shoes and chalk bag and head out to these locals favorite bouldering spots in Bend.
Explore the region on two wheels by checking out these scenic bikeways and fun biking routes.
Federally protected salmon and steelhead returning to the Deschutes basin will have one less obstacle to survival.
Summer Lake Hot Springs is a back-to-basics retreat south of Bend.
These trails that are perfect for a late summer or early fall hike with views, wildflowers and refreshing lakes and waterfalls.
Amy Hazel has been called the “Second Mouth of the Deschutes River,” but she couldn’t care less. She’s just here to fish.
Avid golfers know that the best time to play golf is whenever there is room for a backswing. That is to say that real golfers don’t let weather or seasons […]
Editors Note: This article was originally published April, 2016 Jeff Dowell grew up in Bend, playing golf for Bend High School and Central Oregon Community College before moving on to […]
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the best fall hikes in Central Oregon as leaves tumble in shades of orange and yellow through the crisp autumn air. Prepare your hiking […]
Specs Trail: Mt. Bachelor Summit Trail Distance from Bend: 20 miles west on Century Drive (park along Cascade Lakes Highway in front of Sunrise Lodge) Door-to-Door time: 3 hours […]
Specs Trail: Green Lakes/Soda Creek Distance from Bend: 27 miles west on Century Drive Door-to-Door time: 3 hours, 15 minutes Elevation gain: 1,627 feet Movement time: 2 hours at […]
Near waterfalls, around lakes and over lava beds, these trails offer an alluring combination of elements in Central Oregon. Lace up your hiking boots, load your pack and hit the […]
Central Oregon is often described as being one of the best areas in the country for mountain bikers to explore. Bend, alone, has an estimated 300 miles of mountain biking […]
