McKenzie Pass SHOULD be open by July 1 to regular vehicle traffic. https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/SBmckenzie.asp
ODoT runs a rotary plow through one way in late May or early June. After they go through with the rotary plow the road is opened to bicycles.
The McKenzie loop is 82 miles which is a good day trip from Sisters.
West of Tillamook, see Cape Meares.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willa...ea/?recid=4403

Got the link to paste this time.

If you are going to the coast through Eugene, you could stop at Sahalie Falls that day. The falls are just a few yards from the parking lot-- but there is a trail that goes much farther too. So you could make it a short day or a long day.

If I was hiking with 4 yr old, I think the Metolius, Clear Lake and Proxy Falls would be my choice.
Clear Lake is partly shaded and partly in the open so could be sunny. Watch for
eagles and osprey.

The waterfalls you'll want to visit are closer to PDX and Portland than they are to Hood River, so you'd avoid backtracking by staying in the Portland area that first night, then heading up the Gorge first thing next morning. That might also free up one of those Portland nights at the end of the trip too (and/or one of the two in the Gorge).

"(I know, probably too long here)"
Not as far as I'm concerned, especially if the goal is to relax. I spent many summer weeks in Arch Cape in my teen years, and never tired of it. Always fun to go back too. Google images for Hug Point (up the beach north) and Oswald West State Park (to the south).

Has anyone mentioned Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area yet? And have you ever been on a dune buggy ride? http://www.sandland.com/ Way better than any amusement park ride.

I agree with Sunbum as to best hikes with kids, but if you're also considering Cascade Lakes Highway, as Tom suggested, Sparks Lake is easy and beautiful too: http://www.ccophoto.com/wp-content/u...232010_MCJ.jpg.

Argh...confused again....so many places so little time...
Dunes looks like fun, crater lake looks beautiful but too far. Not sure if we can fit in....

So sparks lake, iron mtn. Look amazing! Green meadows, mountains, flowers and trees! Just what we want.
Also Clear lake, proxy falls and Sahalie falls look great!

But they seem far from Sisters. Is there a closer place to base ourselves?

I chose sisters because I found a good room at 5 Pines. But I don't have to stay there if it's not convenient. Hoping to stay under 300 per night (including taxes and fees).

Thanks again!

Closer places

Lake creek Lodge at the Metolius- has a restaurant, community room with games/ ping pong tables etc. and I think, a pool

Suttle Lake Lodge- has cabins, restaurant which I think is still open.

Black Butte Ranch.

Uh oh. Looks like Suttle Lake Lodge is closed. Too bad. It was beautiful but a bit high end

It looks like Black Butte Ranch is only about 10 minutes away from Sisters. Is that rights?

"Black Butte Ranch is only about 10 minutes away from Sisters. Is that rights?"

Yep, and it's about the same time from Black Butte to Camp Sherman, unless you're riding a bicycle. Black Butte is one of my favorite places on the planet.

I would say 10-15 min.

There is a great variety of lodging at Sunriver. It is not just a resort. Many people live there year - round.

Are those more central for day trips? Or just nicer to stay at? I have to admit, I only looked briefly, but what came up seemed either really expensive or not enough space for a family. But maybe I didn't look at the right places... 5 pines was available and easy to reserve...with good cancellation policy. But if there is something better I have no problem changing plans.
Do most people stay at the resorts for the day, or go driving 45min. Or more around to get to the waterfalls and lakes?

Thanks!

I would say most hikes from anywhere you stay, are going to require driving an hour or more.

I have a friend who rents her house at Sunriver through VRBO. Have you checked that out. Not sure what she rents it for, but it is lovely.

There is such a variety of places at Sunriver, condos, lodge rooms- seems there would be something in your price range

Sunriver has all sorts of lodging, from small condos to enormous houses. We have done extended family trips there numerous times and there are homes with 5-6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, so yes, there are plenty that are big enough. Some people stay at Sunriver and enjoy the pools,bike paths, hiking etc right there on site, but then also venture out for day trips. The resort is huge, and you really don't feel like you are at a resort unless you are near the village mall or the main lodge. As mentioned, many people live there year round. My grandparents were one of the original homeowners there way back when it opened.

I checked what's available through some of the property management places at Sunriver and there are many in the 150-300 per nt range.

From Sunriver you could be to the north end of Crater Lake in 2 hours. Drive around the lake and then head back to Sunriver. http://sunriverlodging.com/
There is a paved FS road up to connect with the Cascades Lake Highway from Sunriver without going into Bend.
Sunriver even has an observatory and a small airport.

It normally takes us 90 minutes from the north end of Sunriver to Crater Lake. Two hours from downtown Bend.

Checked with my friend. She actually rents her house through Flipkey.
So if you change your mind about where to stay, you could check it out.

Also recommends Bennington Properties as a place to look.

Thank you so much for all the info! I will be looking into accommodations today.

Can you tell me the difference between staying at Sunriver, Black Butte and Sisters? Scenery or just location?

I think Crater looks amazing, I just don't know if we will for sure be able to squeeze it in....

I looked at the Sahalie and koosah falls, blue pool and clear lake hikes, and all those look amazing. Those would be closer to Black Butte then Sunriver , right?

Could you give me some similar hikes that would be would be closer to Sunriver (other than crater lake).

Would I be able to find any meadows with wild flowers at mid-late July?


Thanks again!

Sun River and Black Butte are similar. Sunriver is larger, has a small village with grocery store, shops, restaurants. I am most familiar with SR. Also like proximity to Bend- easy drive in.
They both have kept the natural feel of the area with big trees, SR has the Deschutes River passing through, BB has great views of The Three Sisters -(mountains).
Sisters is a cute western town. Not as much to do as the resorts but fine as a launching point for a couple of day trips.

Sahalie, Koosah and Clear Lake would be closer to Black Butte. But not that much closer.

Not sure of other wild flower hikes although Canyon Creek Meadows does have meadows- just not the variety of flowers.
I think Iron Mtn likely has flowers in mid July- but it is dependent on how much snow has been up there during the winter.

The McKenzie River starts at Clear Lake, tumbles over Sahalie and Koosah Falls continues on aways and totally disappears underground. Eventually it surfaces again at Tamolitch Pool. The whole trail is about 13 miles long I think and I have hiked it all.

"...BB has great views of The Three Sisters..."

And Mts. Washington and Three Fingered Jack and maybe Jefferson too. Being smaller, BB has fewer commercial services so you'll have to drive the 10 miles into Sisters to find a decent grocery store and other shopping (a good or bad thing, depending on perspective).

As Sunbum noted, Canyon Creek Meadows does have some wildflowers, but the real WOW-factor there is Three Fingered Jack. That and the possibility that there might still be snow for the kids to play in. We used to pack garbage bags to use as sleds. But that would involve a hike of 6-7 miles, maybe too much for the kids. I recall taking our then 3 year old daughter along once, and a friend and I having to carry her on our shoulders most of the way down the mountain, her head bobbing as she slept.