Taking on the Twists and Turns to McKenzie Pass in Oregon

McKenzie Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,623m (5,335ft) above sea level, located at the border of Linn and Deschutes counties in the US state of Oregon.

McKenzie Pass

Where is McKenzie Pass?

Set high in the central part of Oregon, in the Cascade Range, the pass connects the high desert of Central Oregon with the verdant Willamette Valley. The pass is named after Donald McKenzie, a Scottish Canadian fur trader.

How long is McKenzie Pass?

The road through the summit is entirely paved. It’s called McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway (Oregon Highway 242-OR242). The pass is 58.5 km (36.35 miles) long, running west-east from Belknap Springs (in Lane County) to Sisters (in Deschutes County). Even on the busiest summer weekends, traffic is light, and due to the winding nature of the road itself, it is usually slow. The byway follows the path of an 1860s wagon route.

Is McKenzie Pass in Oregon open?

The pass is seasonally closed from November to mid-June due to snow. But for a few weeks before the opening, you can lift your bicycle over the gates and cycle over. One year: successful crossing on empty roads. The next: turned back by snow. Due to extremely sharp curves and narrow road width, Highway 242 over McKenzie Pass is closed to vehicles longer than 35 feet. Trailers are discouraged.

Is McKenzie Pass in Oregon worth it?

At the summit, take a few minutes to climb up to the Dee Wright Observatory, a lava rock structure constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, and named for their foreman. From the observatory, you can take in six Cascade peaks on a clear day. At the summit of the pass, Oregon Route 242 crosses a 65-square-mile (170 km2) lava flow just west of Sisters. Near the summit is Clear Lake, a renowned location for freshwater diving.
Pic: Steve Loughran