Day trips

High Desert Museum
No trip to Central Oregon is complete without a visit to the High Desert Museum. Here you will find in-depth exhibits that explore the natural and human history of the region. The wildlife exhibits, particularly the raptor display are spectacular and the living history exhibits — including an operating sawmill — offer families a chance to travel back in time to the region’s early days as a timber, mining and cattle ranching center. The museum is about a 40-minute drive from Sisters and is located just off Highway 97 south of Bend. For more information call 541-382-4754 or visit www.highdesertmuseum.org.

Lake Billy Chinook
Lake Billy Chinook offers fun and adventure for the whole family ó boating, kayaking, water skiing, camping, fishing and hiking. The lake was formed in 1964 by the construction of the Round Butte Dam and named for a Wasco Indian who scouted for John C. Fremont in 1843. The scenery is dramatic, with steep cliffs and canyons. The lake offers a full-service marina, boating facilities and many camping sites. The fishing catch range from Kokanee to small and largemouth bass. The lake is better known for bull trout. Be sure to check seasons and licensing requirements, which vary on different arms of the lake. Temperatures are hot in the summertime and mild in winter. The Cove Palisades State Park is the home of the renowned Eagle Watch event held each February. For directions, visit the Oregon State Park Web site and type Sistersí zip code (97759) for a Google map. The map shows a short, direct route from Sisters, but it is on unimproved gravel road and should not be taken.

Lava Tubes
There are only a few scattered lava tubes on the Sisters Ranger District that could be visited, but the District Ranger is reluctant to publicize their locations due to environmental sensitivity and possible danger to visitors. Anyone who wants to visit caves on the district is advised to contact Leading Field Ranger Kevin Foss at 549-7700. There are, however, several lava tubes and ices cave on the Bend/Fort Rock District of the Deschutes National Forest that may be visited at your discretion. Boyd Cave is a short drive south of Bend on the China Hat Road (Forest Road 18). A mile further on is Skeleton Cave and a short drive further south is Arnold Ice Cave. Early pioneers depended on Arnold Ice Cave for a steady supply of ice. South Ice Cave, a spectacular lava tube on the southern edge of the Fort Rock District, is an hour’s drive from Sisters. Purchase a forest map before you head out and tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Be sure you have at least three sources of light and a bump cap when visiting the lava tubes and ice caves. Dress warmly, as the year-round temperature in lava tubes and ice caves is between freezing and 40 degrees. Contact the Deschutes National Forest more information at 541-388-5300.

Fossils of Central Oregon
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, about two hours drive from Sisters and located along the John Day River east of Prineville, is a spectacular place to visit for anyone with even a casual interest in Miocene fossils. There is a brand new Visitors Center with excellent displays of the flora and fauna that lived in this area some 22 million years ago. It will take a full day to visit all the attractions of the monument. There are no campgrounds on the monument but there are several picnic areas and activities within and on special parts of the monument. For maps, information and directions visit www.nps.gov/joda/.

Shaniko
A visit to Shaniko is a time machine to the turn of the 20th Century. In the years 1900-1910, Shaniko was a boom town and known as the Wool Capital of the World. Shaniko is not quite a ghost town. Several historic buildings still stand and the beautifully restored Old Shaniko Hotel is a great place to enjoy a hearty “home-cooked” meal and soak up the ambiance of the Old West. Several antique stores are open in the summer and fall. Shaniko is a little less than a two-hour drive from Sisters. Head east on Highway 126 to Redmond, then turn north on Highway 97 and drive through Madras and on to Shaniko — and back in time. For a look at some of Shaniko’s historic buildings visit www.ghosttowns.com/states/or/shaniko.html.

Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders of Central Oregon. Formed from rock that settled out of volcanic eruptions, Smith Rock rises like a rampart out of the high desert along the Crooked River just north and east of Redmond. Smith Rock is a destination for climbers who love to scale its many challenging routes, but it also offers a lot to hikers who want a quiet stroll by the river in the shadow of fascinating sculpted rock formations. To get there head east on Highway 126 to Redmond, then turn north on Highway 97 and drive about five miles to Terrebonne. Follow the signs to Smith Rock State Park. For more information visit www.smithrock.com.

Sahalie & Koosah Falls
If you’re looking for a classic Oregon Cascades waterfall, you’ll find it just a short drive west from Sisters. The McKenzie River roars and plunges over Sahalie Falls in a white torrent, then twists down a rocky canyon before leaping again off the cliffs of Koosah Falls. The falls are spectacular and have been used as scenes in several movies. The falls are very accessible, with developed parking areas and a viewing platform at Sahalie that is easy to get to for just about anyone. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with a picnic lunch. To get there drive west on highway 20 from Sisters to the Santiam Junction. Head west on Highway 126 5.2 miles and follow the signs into the Sahalie Falls parking area.