Posts with tag 'Sisters'
Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
26
Hike Tam McArthur Rim to Broken Top For the Views and Experience
Besides the lake, many will take the 5.3 mile round trip hike (permit required) above the lake to Tam McArthur Rim, gaining over 1200 feet in elevation to reach the rim. Typically the views from this spot are clear from Broken Top and the Three Sisters all the way to Mt. Hood. However, in recent years summer forest fires have added haze and smoke often obstructing the views.
 |
 |
On July 20, 2024, the day started with a slight haze but by the end of the day, the smoke from forest fires settled into the area. However, the hike to Tam McArthur Rim was uneventful with just a handful of people also taking the same trek.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Past Tam McArthur Rim, the unmaintained trail to Broken Hand and Broken Top had abundant wildflowers for this alpine area as well as heavier snow patches than experienced in past years. The approach to Broken Hand involves scrambling over rocks and climbing several cinder ridges before reaching this rugged, rocky prominence. To pass it this July involved either detouring around the rocky base, hiking over snow fields, or trekking directly over snow on Broken Hand's westside. Either way people needed to be careful to avoid falling and sliding down the snowy hill. The majority of people appeared to be going directly over the snowy side of Broken Hand.
 |
 |
Past Broken Hand, there is a hill to climb to reach a fabulous view point. From here, the cragged top and colorful flanks of Broken Top are very visible (along with ski tracks from recent, ambitious past visitors who must have either rope climbed to the top of Broken Top and rappelled down or else made their was up the very steep side of the mountain to the top of the snow patch and skied down to the lake) as well as snow and ice covered No Name Lake. Besides Broken Top, the Three Sisters are very big and impressive from this view point and Mt. Bachelor and Tumalo Mountain visible in the hazy distance. The hike back to the trail head goes fairly fast as it is mostly downhill. All in all, the entire hike is under eleven miles and about 2150 feet of elevation gain.
 |
 |
15
Central Oregon Real Estate Market Trends - 2nd Quarter 2024
Central Oregon Market Trends 2nd Quarter 2024
The Central Oregon real estate 2024 market trends for most of the major urban areas continue to reflect a seller's market in 2nd quarter, although that has changed in La Pine where inventory levels at 7.4 months reflect a buyer's market; Powell Butte and Madras are in a balanced market at 6 months. Although still in a seller's market, inventory is at a level in Bend that hasn't been seen since July, 2015 when the average home price was $391,000 and mortgage interest rates were at 4%.* With more inventory, days on market have also ticked up, but well priced homes can still sell quickly and multiple offers can happen. Bend, Redmond and Sunriver are showing strong upward trends in all categories (the only exception for Bend is the number of homes sold) with home prices, listings, inventory levels and days on market all rising. As we move into 3rd quarter, we expect mortgage interest rates may drop, which could enable more home buyers to afford a Central Oregon home.30
Chush Falls is a Fun Hike Just Outside Sisters Oregon
Chush Falls Is Snow Free
One of the earliest spring snow free hikes in Central Oregon's forests is the hike to Chush Falls. The trailhead is located off the road to Three Creeks Lake outside of Sisters several miles down a gravel road and then a short trek up a narrow dirt and rock road. The parking area is small so people wanting to hike the relatively short 2.2 miles to lower Chush Falls should plan on arriving early to get a parking space.
The trail starts in burned forest - the result of the 2017 Milli Fire. However, unlike the experience with earlier hikes, almost all of the burned trees from this fire which have fallen across the path have been cleared which makes the trek to Lower Chush Falls fairly quick. One result of the fire are the views of North/Middle Sister and Broken Top are more unobstructed. And the new young trees are getting taller and starting to be seen through the manzanita and snowbrush.
 |
|
For those who really want to see Lower Chush Falls, there is a steep scramble down the hillside to the base of the falls; the viewpoint at the top is disappointing with tall trees and vegetation obstructing views. However, for those who can tackle the steep hillside, the views of the falls from the base are wonderful.
After climbing back up to the viewpoint, hikers can elect to return to the trailhead or continue on to Upper Chush Falls past smaller Cascades Waterfall. This path has not been cleared of fallen trees, so it is much slower to hike over, under and around the tree trunks. However, for those who make it to the trail's end, it is surprising to see the 200 foot waterfall; Lower Chush Falls is 50 feet. The vegetation is thick at the base of Upper Chush Falls with the canyon Whychus Creek flows through steep so it is challenging to really get a great view. The easiest access for photos is up the hillside above the creek over an unsteady rockfall. All in all, for those who make it to Upper Chush Falls, the total hike is 6.5 miles with 961 feet of elevation gain.
 |
 |
21
The Trail is Open to the Top of Black Butte
Black Butte Trail is Short but Steep
The trail to the top of Black Butte starts part way up the butte after a drive on a fairly well maintained dirt and gravel road followed by a poorly maintained dirt and rock road. Once you reach the trailhead (complete with stocked toilets), the two mile hike to the top of the butte can be accomplished fairly quickly. Hikers gain over 1500 feet in the two miles, but the Cascade views from Broken Top to Mt Adams can be spectacular on a clear day.
There is limited parking at the Black Butte Trailhead (forest pass required) so hikers are recommended to arrive early to get a spot and to avoid crowds. The hike is very popular with visitors to Black Butte Ranch and and Camp Sherman as well as local year-round residents.
 |
 |
 |
 |
3
Central Oregon Real Estate Market Trends 1st Quarter 2024
Central Oregon Market Trends 1st Quarter 2024
The Central Oregon real estate market trends for the major urban areas continue to reflect a seller's market, although residential inventory levels have risen in most locations. The desperate lack of inventory experienced during Covid has changed, and while home prices overall continue to rise, in some smaller markets price reductions can be noted. With more inventory, days on market have also generally gone up, but well priced homes are still selling quickly and multiple offers can happen. Bend, Redmond and Sunriver are showing strong upward trends in all categories with home prices, listings, inventory levels and days on market all rising. Whether or not this trend continues in 2nd quarter with mortgage interest rates well about 7% remains to be seen.
Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility
