A Trip to Sisters

 The Three Sisters shrouded in clouds near the town of Sisters, Oregon

Our time in the Cape Perpetua area was rejuvenating!  The cool Oregon coast can always be counted on when the rest of the state is too warm and it has been very warm this summer.  But we noticed on the weather maps that a cool front was on the way to cool things down for the next week, so it seemed like the perfect time to visit more of the Cascade Mountains in central Oregon.

 

Almost 1,800 miles and still a little tread left!

 

First we headed for Eugene to resupply for our mountain adventure and I desperately needed a new pair of hiking boots.  Funny coincidence but I bought new hiking boots two years ago almost to the day at the REI in Eugene.  I figured I had close to 1,800 miles on those boots so it was time for new ones.  Actually, I could have hiked a few more miles in them if it weren't for the holes and cracks that were making them not waterproof anymore.

Our RV full of groceries and new boots on my feet (being broken in), we headed east from Eugene following Oregon Highway 126 and the Wild and Scenic McKenzie River.  We spent time along the beautiful McKenzie River when we were in Oregon two years ago so we didn’t stop this time (except for a picnic lunch along the river).  We continued on through the Willamette and then the Deschutes National Forests to the quaint little town of Sisters, our destination for the week.

North and Middle Sister, viewed from Tam McArthur Rim

 

In the shadow of the nearby Three Sisters peaks – Faith, Hope and Charity, the town of Sisters has a western ambiance and a thriving arts scene. We enjoyed staying at the Creekside Campground in Sisters City Park.  This sweet little city park has tent and RV sites, a picnic area, hiking and biking trails and Whychus Creek meanders through it.  We were within walking distance of most everything in town and had easy access to the city trails.

Bear Grass Blooms on the Canyon Creek Meadows Trail, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness

One day we took a driving trip to nearby Bend, Oregon about 25 miles to the southeast.  Bend is considered central Oregon’s recreational paradise offering nearby fishing, boating, hiking, rock climbing and winter snow sports.  With the Cascades Mountains as a backdrop the city is very beautiful but those mountains also block the moist Pacific air and give Bend as many as 250 sunny days a year.  No wonder it is a favorite getaway for sun-starved Oregonians.  The downtown area is vibrant with the community college and a branch of Oregon State University located not far away.  We thought Bend looked like a great place to live, but we've been told it can get a lot of winter snow.

 

 

The Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington Wilderness areas are all located within a few miles of Sisters and we took hikes in all three. Luckily, the weather stayed cool and cloudy and we even got a day of much needed rain. There have been a lot of fires in central and eastern Oregon this fire season and the cool, wet weather was a big help to the firefighters.

 

Bridge 99 Complex fire in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness
from the Canyon Creek Meadows Trail