There's More to Bend, OR than Mt. Bachelor

Most people visit Bend, OR to sped time on the slopes of Mt. Bachelor. No longer a skiier, I was surprised at the number of alternative activities in the area.  Many activities and roads are only open seasonally so check ahead before heading out.

Snowshoeing 

I did spend a day on Mt. Bachelor, just snowshoeing through the forest instead.  The loop is 2.8 miles long and starts from the Nordic Center's Common Corridor trail.  Tromping through fresh powder, over logs, and around creeks is a lot harder than it sounds.  There are a plenty of other trails in the area besides Mt. Bachelor.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is actually a caldera that is seismically and geothermally active.   There are two main access points to the area:  Lava Lands and Paulina Lake.  Lava Lands provides views of the Lava Butte cinder cone and hikes through the pines.  Paulina Lake provides many more hiking options including trails around the crater rim, along the lakes, to waterfalls, adn across obsidian flows.  Unfortunately, both access roads were closed for the season so I was not able to hike in the area this trip.  

High Desert Museum

The High Desert Museum is worth the short trip south of Bend.  A combination of cultural history, forest education, and wildlife zoo, it is an eclectic museum that will keep you entertained.  Be sure to catch one of the talks throughout the day; they are fairly short and interactive.  The river otters love to play for the cameras so don't forget yours.

Pilot Butte

If you hike to the top of the cinder cone in town you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains (or the incoming storm depending on your luck.)  The parking area at Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is large and well visited if you decide to walk to the top.  The gate to drive to the top is only open seasonally.

Peds and Pedals

In addition to the large number of destination areas around Bend, there are also a ton of cycling and walking paths throughout the city.  Walking along the Deschutes River is a beautiful way to end your day.