Newberry Crater National Monument is Hikeable Now

What's in the June 2024 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• What are the Puzzling Trends for Bend Home Sales?
• Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins
• 10 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer
• The Road to Paulina Peak in Newberry Crater is Open for Hikers
• The Wealth Building Power of Home Ownership

The Paulina Peak Road Has Snow But it is Melting Fast

Reports about the trail to the top of Paulina Peak in Newberry Crater National Monument on June 1, 2024 stated that the last mile had a lot of snow. Rather than navigate through this and the abrupt steep drop off the last mile of the trail, hikers could elect to walk the road up to the peak. This road was not yet open for vehicles and had snow patches in the shady areas, but was very much passable by hikers. The last 1/2 mile to the peak on the road had three feet of compacted snow, but with the use of trekking poles, it was easily traversed. The views of the snow capped Cascades and Paulina Lake were splendid from the top as were eastern views toward Fort Rock and the Obsidian Flow. Hiking the road results in 1600 feet of elevation gain to the peak which is just under 8000 feet above sea level, but over a more gradual grade than the trail, making for a longer hike but more easily done. All in all, the total hike by the road is just under 8 miles up and back from the gate off the main road through the monument.

Central Oregon Market Trends 1st Quarter 2024

The Central Oregon real estate market trends for the major urban areas continue to reflect a seller's market, although residential inventory levels have risen in most locations. The desperate lack of inventory experienced during Covid has changed, and while home prices overall continue to rise, in some smaller markets price reductions can be noted. With more inventory, days on market have also generally gone up, but well priced homes are still selling quickly and multiple offers can happen. Bend, Redmond and Sunriver are showing strong upward trends in all categories with home prices, listings, inventory levels and days on market all rising. Whether or not this trend continues in 2nd quarter with mortgage interest rates well about 7% remains to be seen.

Peter Skene Ogden Trail is a Favorite Off Season Hike

We have hiked from McCay Crossing to Paulina Falls multiple times, typically in the late fall and early spring when crowds are gone and snow accumulation is limited. We have always enjoyed the experience and have seen Paulina Creek and the numerous falls along the path in various stages of flow - spring run off, fall with lessened volume, and winter ice. Some of our favorite experiences have involved the ice, and we have named that experience "chasing frozen waterfalls."

The hike we did 11-11-23 was in the fall after first snow, but after warmer temperatures had melted much of the snow in the lower elevations. We saw just a handful of people the entire day and our hike up and back was much faster than we experience when we have to walk through snow. But we had an opportunity to discover little seen or accessed waterfalls and had a wonderful day. The total hike was 13.8 miles with roughly 1600 feet of elevation gain.