Memorial Day in Bend

We decided to get out of the city for Memorial Day, since we both had a couple days off together (finally) and we hadn't been anywhere in a while. Actually, this was the first time we didn't sleep in our apartment since we moved here over 9 months ago! We headed out to Bend, the largest city in Central Oregon, to check out the city and do some great hiking. We are going to be hiking up to the top of South Sister mountain in two months with the local MSU Alumni group, so we have some serious conditioning to do before then... we decided to start here!

On the drive there, it is very clear when you have entered high desert. All of a sudden the landscape changes from soaring evergreens to small shrubs and trees growing out of sand. The drive was about 3 three hours long, but there was plenty to see along the way, which made it seem like a much quicker trip.

Mt. Jefferson in the distance. The scenery was this gorgeous the whole way.

Road trippin' doggy

We made a stop on our way into Bend at Smith Rock, a state park that is considered by many to be the birthplace of rock climbing. For good reason... this place is full of craggy cliffs and soaring rocky spires. There are also miles of trails. We opted to take the "most difficult" route up to see Monkey Face, a spire that resembles... you guessed it... a monkey face. The trail was only .75 miles long, easy right? Oh, except for the constant steep uphill grade the entire way, in the beating desert sun. Add in the fact that I was breaking in brand new hiking boots. It was seriously the longest .75 miles of my life.

View of the Crooked River from the trail

A short stretch of flat terrain!

Almost to the top here

The car down below

Water break!

There was a great view of the Cascade range from way up there

We made it... whew

There it is... Monkey Face

After all that climbing, we figured we earned a good lunch. We stopped at Pilot Butte Drive In, for some deliciously fat burgers, fries, and chocolate shakes. Mmmm.


I didn't really get any photos, but for the evening we just wandered around downtown Bend and checked out the scenery. We had dinner at Pine Tavern, a restaurant that has been in Bend since 1936. It is situated right on the Deschutes River, complete with a 250-year old Ponderosa tree growing straight through the middle of their dining room. We opted for a table on their gorgeous patio, right on the river.

They had some of the most gigantic tulips I've ever seen on their patio

After copious amounts of food and drink, we called it a night after dinner. The next day we had a couple more hikes planned, so we got an early start on it. The drive was again complete with breathtaking views of the Cascades.

From left to right: Mt. Bachelor, South Sister, Broken Top Mountain. Did I mention we'll be at the top of that monster in two months?!

Buckley hungry, Buckley want mountain! Nom nom nom!

Our first stop was Newberry National Volcanic Monument, 50,000 acres of lava flows, lakes, and volcanoes. We headed to the Big Obsidian Lava Flow to traverse the area's youngest lava flow. And yep, that's snow everywhere... it's crazy how quickly the landscape can change around here. Dogs aren't allowed on this trail since the sharp obsidian can cut their feet, so we let him romp around at the base for a while.

"What's up there, huh? Can I go see, can I can I?!"

"Nevermind, I'm over this. It's effing cold up here."

Where the lava flow crawled to a rest. The shiny obsidian, a volcanic glass, made this entire place sparkle in the sun.

Close-up of the obsidian (volcanic glass)

Once we got up here, there really was no discernible trail in the snow, so we just wandered around

Paulina Peak, the monument's tallest peak

Paulina Peak

After a quick lunch/beer break at Three Creeks Brewery in Sisters, OR, we headed to Black Butte for another hike. And took a few more pictures on the way, of course.

A clear view of the Three Sisters, North, Middle and South (South Sister is all the way to the left).

On the left is the ominous-looking Black Butte, Mt. Jefferson on the right

Black Butte is a cinder cone volcano located in Deschutes National Forest, with an elevation of 6,436 feet. The trail we hiked is about 4 miles round trip, with an elevation gain on the way up of about 1,500 feet. Once we were above the treeline, the views on this hike were absolutely stunning. It is quite the experience to hike while completely surrounded by mountain views.

Getting to the summit, with Three Fingered Jack in the background

Mt. Washington

L to R: Broken Top Mountain and South Sister

At the summit!!

Doesn't Paul look mighty?

One of the old fire lookout towers at the summit

Made it!

Former living quarters for the fire lookout person, with Three Fingered Jack in the background

One happy puppy

Mt. Jefferson

This is the current living quarters for the fire lookout. Not a bad view, eh?

L to R: Broken Top, South Sister, North Sister (Middle Sister is hidden from view at this angle)

Three Fingered Jack

Hello down below!

On the trail back down

After Black Butte, it was time to head home. We had such an awesome time on our mini-vacation, I can't wait to go back and explore more of this area. I am even more motivated to get in shape for South Sister after these gorgeous expeditions.

View of Mt. Washington on the ride home

Love,
Jenny