Mt. Bachelor is an iconic volcanic peak near Bend, Oregon, known for amazing skiing that lasts well into the spring as well as fantastic hiking. Mt. Bachelor has multiple trails to the top, but the most popular leaves from the parking lot at the main, northernmost West Village Mt. Bachelor ski area, near the Nordic ski area. (Hiker parking was once available at the Sunrise trail parking lot, but Mt. Bachelor has recently discouraged and now prohibited hiker parking at the Sunrise lot. Hikers must now complete the slightly longer route starting at the West Village base area.)
The trail beginning at the main parking leaves up a small grassy slope near the ski lodge before following a signed dirt road. The trail leaves on the right (south) after 0.6 miles and begins switchbacking up the steep slope towards the summit. After 2.1 miles, the trees thin out and hikers reach the intermediate lift building at the top of the Sunrise Express; this marks about halfway up Mt. Bachelor in terms of distance, and the views improve as you leave the treeline far below you.
The terrain becomes increasingly rocky as the volcanic summit grows nearer. The trail is mostly switchbacking. When the trail finally reaches the summit lift at 3.7 miles, hikers are rewarded with beautiful views of the peaks to the north and the rocky cliffs at the summit. However, the true summit, at 4.0 miles, is just a bit farther and less than a hundred feet higher. The trail snakes around a few rocky false summits before reaching the true summit with phenomenal views of the Sisters, Broken Top, Mount Tumalo, and many more surrounding peaks.
The descent begins along the same trail down, reaching the upper Sunrise Express lift at about 5.9 miles. Hikers then enter the trees and continue down the same path back to the West Village.
Comments
Sign In and share them.