Sisters Country is a runner’s paradise
By Charlie Kanzig

Endless dirt roads, ever increasing miles of single-track trails, and easy access to the wilderness make the Sisters Country a veritable runner’s paradise.

“I live right in town and I love the proximity of trails,” says local ultra-marathoner Sean Meissner. “I can literally run a different route within minutes of downtown Sisters every day of the week, and the opportunities are truly limitless if I drive even 15 minutes to a trailhead or dirt road.”

For a guy who might cover 30-plus miles on a training run, that’s quite a testament. Even if you’re not putting in mega miles, trail running can keep you running longer and with more enjoyment.
It’s abundantly clear that the wear and tear on the body from running on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete make a softer option like a pine-needle-covered dirt trail very attractive. Add in the attractiveness including incredible scenic beauty of mountain views, mature “yellow-belly” ponderosa pines, crisp, clean air, and an abundance of local runners and cyclists committed to trail access, and you must be in Sisters.

Favorite runs in the area

• The Peterson Ridge Trail system is the most well-marked, user friendly of the local trails and the trailhead is conveniently located just on the edge of the city limits and the intersection of Elm Street (Three Creek Road) and Tyee. This system includes numerous loops, so distances are varied, as is the terrain, so whether you are training for a 5k or a marathon, Peterson Ridge can meet your running needs.

• Another trail starts out just off north Pine Street where the pavement ends. To get there turn north on Pine Street (at the Sno Cap Drive In). A trail kiosk marks the start of this flat section of trail that goes all the way to Indian Ford Campground, six miles away.

• The Windigo Trail is a multiple use trail that is a favorite for horseback riders, but offers a lot to runners as well. There are many places to join an intersection including Sisters Cow Camp, Graham Corral, and Cold Springs Campground.  Summer weekends could mean sharing the trail with horses.

• The Suttle Lake Tie Trail starts at George McAllister Road, which is located on the south side of Highway 20 across from the road leading to Camp Sherman. This well-marked trail wends its way up to Suttle Lake. Runners have been known to run up, jump in the lake, dry off a bit and run back down, making about a 10-mile round trip. The Lodge at Suttle Lake provides a fine breakfast spot for those who desire to run one way from the bottom or go round trip from the top.

Maps with course descriptions of Peterson Ridge and other Sisters Trails Alliance trails can be viewed at www.sisterstrails.com  and can also be found at the Sisters Ranger District office, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and at Eurosports or Blazin’ Saddles bike shops.

For a runner staying in town looking for a five-mile loop, the McKenzie Highway, Edgington Road, Three Creek Road course provides a combination of asphalt and gravel surface. Start at the Village Green on Elm Street and run north to Hood Avenue. Turn left and follow Hood to the McKenzie Highway. After a mile turn left on Edgington Road (gravel). Just after turning look left and catch a dirt trail that parallels the wire fence of Patterson Ranch. This trail pops out on the Brooks-Scanlon Road (gravel) where you turn left and run due east to Three Creek Road. Turn left and head back into town straight back to the Village Green Park.

Trails along the Metolius River make for refreshing runs either as out-and-backs or loops. You can depart downstream right across from the Camp Sherman Store. Black Butte Ranch features miles of bike paths along with dirt roads and trails around its perimeter.

Most local runners have a U.S. Forest Service map of the Deschutes National Forest which opens up countless possibilities on dirt roads as well as all the trailheads in the area, including those going into the wilderness. It’s an adventure to design your own course.

For all wilderness runs, be sure to have a trail pass and fill out the information card/permit at the
trailhead.

A few notes of caution are in order:
• Know where you are going; use established trails and carry a map.
• Let someone else know where you are going, especially if you are going alone.
• It is quite dry in Central Oregon, so hydration is essential. Carry water.
• Temperatures can change very rapidly, especially near dusk. Carry an extra layer if you plan to be out for a longer run. Hats are always a good addition either for sun protection or warmth.
• Be thoughtful of other users on the trail. You may be sharing the trail with horses and mountain bikes. The standard etiquette is that horses have the right-of-way ahead of runners.

Running events in Sisters Country

If you’re interested in participating in a well-established trail run and want to make a weekend of it, mark your calendar for the annual Peterson Ridge Rumble, which will be Sunday, April 10, 2011. Distances featured are 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) and 60 kilometers (37.2 miles). The race attracts over 300 runners each year from around the Northwest.

The race, in its eighth year, is directed by Sean Meissner. The 2009 event fielded a record number of runners.

“People come from all over Oregon and Washington to run this race, which is great for our local economy,” Meissner said.

Ashley Nordell, an accomplished ultra-marathon runner who recently moved to Sisters, took top honors in the women’s field in the 60-kilometer trail race; Yassine Diboun of Portland averaged an impressive 6:59-per-mile pace to take the overall trophy in 4:15:16.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Sisters High School crosscountry team.

Check the local events calendar in The Nugget Newspaper or stop by Sisters Athletic Club for other races when you’re in town or use www.racenorthwest.com  and www.footzonebend.com  to see what’s happening in the area.

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