Mt Bachelor
Distance: 5.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2700 feet.
Are looking for the opportunity to hike a full blown volcano, but are a little nervous about hiking deep into the backcountry to do it. Or are you just an exercise fanatic who loves the chance to log major vertical and only have a few hours to spare. Well in either case, the trail up Mt Bachelor may just be perfect for you. “Wait, Mt Bachelor?” you ask. “Isn’t that a ski resort?” Why yes it is, but they have developed a pretty awesome trail system that leads you up to the summit and then does a loop around the cirque on the way down, granting you a nice loop. Plus, one of the best parts, you can ride a life down from the Pine Martin Lodge back to the parking area. For free. Beat that South Sister.
You begin your hike from the West Village parking area. No passes or permits are required, just head up the walkway between the west village lodge and the ski shop towards the Pine Martin Lift. From there, head to the left and look for signs for the Fly Creek Trail. Everything will start out pretty front country feeling. The lodge to your left, a couple ski learning areas and stage to your right. You will be walking on a service road for a little bit and pass under a zip line. Allt he terrain park rails will be stashed off to the side. But pretty soon, the trail takes off from the road and enter the forest and begins a fairly gentle climb.
Once you start the climb, you will pass between areas of ski runs and woods. If you ski here, it’s kind of cool seeing all the terrain the is normally buried under 10 plus feet of snow. You will even pass by a meadow or two as you make your way to the Sunrise Lift. After passing over the Marshmellow ski run, the trail will start to steepen some as you start to move more straight up the mountain. Things aren’t too bad yet though.
You will reach the top of the Sunrise chair at almost exactly the 2 mile mark. Congratulations! You’re at about 7,250 feet. 900 feet down, and only 1,800 to go. Its still another 2 miles to go, so this next section will be twice as steep as what you just previously conquered. You will kind of stay in the trees for a little bit as the trail switchbacks up a ridge, just to the left of the Summit Lift. But soon, you will break free and find yourself standing on just one giant pile of rocks. Be glad the trail is there because it would not be fun hiking up this mountain without it.
The trail endlessly switchbacks up ridgeline towards the summit. This area can hold snow well into August so be mindful of your timing, and step. After about 12,000 little switchbacks, you will pass under the Summit Lift. Take heart, its just one last little 200 foot push up to the access road/trail the heads from the lift to the actual summit. Things get much easier from here.
Follow the Summit East trail and it skirts above the bowl and heads for the top. I little before reaching it, you will hit the junction with the West Ridge Trail. Ignore that for now and stay to the right. It’s only a 1/10 of a mile to the actual summit. You’ve come all this way, you don’t want to miss it now.
Once you reach the summit, enjoy the views overlooking Broken Top and the Sisters. Check out Century Road snaking through the hills on its way back to Bend. Diamond Peak and more can be seen to the south on a clear day. It’s a great place to chill and enjoy yourself.
Once your soul feels full and complete, head back towards that junction with the West Ridge Trail. Take that as it weaves its way through some small little lava piles and then starts making its way down the west side of the bowl. This trail is much rockier than the way up, but the rocks seem fairly packed into place and don’t move on you. The views down from here have you gazing right into Broken Top and South Sister most of the way down, which is pretty awesome.
The West Ridge Trail loops around the ridge and then heads towards the moraine at the bottom of the cirque bowl. Here, you will encounter what appears to be some old rope ruins and the trail will change to the rope tow trail. It’s not quite as steep and rocky as above and you will soon find yourself at the Pine Martin Lodge. Now you have a decision to make. If you’re just having the time of your life and love walking downhill, you can keep hiking on the Evergreen trail, and in 4 short miles, you will be back at the lodge. Or, if you’re all about the climb, and you time your hike for when the lifts are running, you can hop on the Pine Martin Chair for FREE, and head the rest of the way back that way. The choice is yours!
Directions
To reach Mt Bachelor, head west from Bend on the Century Road towards all the signs pointing you towards Mt Bachelor. It’s about 20 miles and pretty easy to find. Once you make it up there, follow the signs to the West Village Lodge. This is where the adventure begins!
Things to Know
Passes:No passes or permits are required.
Dogs: Allowed and must be on leash. The upper half of the mountain is very rocky and my be hard on a dogs paws. Also, I don't thing they well let you ride the chairlift down with a dog, just as a heads up.
Usage: Light.
Open Season: The lower mountain will likely have snow on it well into June, and don't be surprised to find snow above the tree line well into August. Summer lifts run usually to the first weekend of October on weekends. Snow will probably start piling up some time in October as well.
