The biking, hiking and golf are all the better in Bend
BEND, OREGON — Visiting Bend, one has the sense that few people ever stand still. That’s because many who’ve settled here came for the outdoor sports — it’s why visitors increasingly flock here, too. Whether it’s golf, mountain-biking, cycling or hiking, you’ll find Bend near the top of many “best-of” lists. The challenge isn’t finding something to do — it’s finding enough time to do everything!
A morning 18
In the late ’90s, it was golf that helped put Bend on the outdoor recreation map. The stunning backdrops of the Cascade Mountains and high desert bluffs provide a gorgeous palette for architects to work with, and they’ve made the most of the varied landscapes to create an engaging mix of masterpieces. There are 30 18hole public access courses within 25 miles of downtown Bend. Several, like the two courses at Black Butte Ranch (Big Meadow and Glaze Meadow) and Aspen Lakes, rest in the Cascades.
I especially enjoy Aspen Lakes, where on some tees you feel as if you could almost reach out and touch the Three Sisters. (Aspen Lakes also has the novelty of red bunkers; the “sand” is made from ground volcanic cinders and is especially fluffy to hit from.)
As development around Bend has spread east, a number of courses have appeared in the high desert. Courses like Juniper (just north of Bend in Redmond) and Pronghorn (designed by Jack Nicklaus and ranked No. 33 in Golf Digest’s prestigious top 100 public courses) offer panoramic views of the Cascades to the west and the Ochoco Mountains to the east as you hit around and over rocky outcroppings.
A new favorite of mine in Bend is Tetherow. With a combination of Three Sisters views, gaping waste bunkers and rough festooned with fescue and wildflowers, Tetherow seems the perfect blend of mountain and desert golf. Caddies come as part of the package at Tetherow, or you can rent a Golfboard, a hip alternative to a golf cart that’s a cross between a Segway and a scooter.
Two-wheeled adventure
If you’re looking to step up the pace after a morning 18, you might hop on a bike. Bend is a
mecca for both road and mountain bike enthusiasts.
“Road bikers will find stellar scenery, very low traffic volumes and typically shallow grades — that is, rolling terrain or sustained climbs that aren’t steep,” says John Frey, manager of Hutch’s Bicycles, one of Bend’s longstanding cycle shops. “Mountain bikers will find few places that offer the volume, proximity and quality of trails, many accessible riding from town. If you’re willing to drive a little, there are over a thousand miles of single track available, including several IMBA Epics (the International Mountain Biking Association’s best of the best).”
The state of Oregon recently inaugurated a State Scenic Bikeways System for cyclists, and two courses through the Bend area — the Sisters to Smith Rock Scenic Bikeway and the Twin Bridges Scenic Bikeway, both 36 miles. The Bachelor Out and Back is another favorite and packs on a good deal of elevation gain — nearly 3,500 feet — in 44 miles.
“In late spring, we have some amazing rides on sections of highways that are open to cyclists, but not yet open to cars,” Frey says. “McKenzie Pass is one of these, and it’s an absolute blast. I also love my after-work loop that meanders through Tumalo State Park.”
While there are enough trails to keep mountain bikers riding for a lifetime, a good starting point is Phil’s Trail Network. “It’s the epicenter of riding in Bend,” Frey says. “Almost every trail is accessible from that trailhead. Bend is known for its fast-and-flowy trail network, though if you know where to look, advanced technical terrain is easily accessible.”
Dirt-lovers will also revel in the liftserved bike park that operates at Mt. Bachelor.
The pint course
A different sort of bike experience awaits, once your hard-riding is done — the cycle pub. Steered by a guide, this pedal-powered trolley will spirit you along Bend’s fabled Ale Trail.
And if you prefer to explore trails at a slower pace, there are hundreds of miles of hiking trails around Bend. For fine river views, consider the Upper Deschutes River Trail, which has numerous entry points south of town and only modest elevation gains. Pleasant (and easy) lakeshore loops are available at both Sparks and Todd Lakes. More challenging climbs (including multiday circuits) abound in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area. And if time is of the essence, Pilot Butte State Park is right in town. It’s only a mile or so to reach the top, which is 480 feet above where you started, but the views are tremendous whichever way you look.