TUMALO MOUNTAIN: BEND

Tumalo Mountain is arguably the most popular and easily accessed backcountry destination close to Bend, Oregon. Despite its popularity, there are still fresh lines to be had for days after a storm comes through.

DETAILS:

• Distance: 2.8-3.0 miles
• Time: 1-1.5 hr
• Elevation Gain: 1,200-1,400 ft
• When to go: Anytime there is snow
• Trailhead: Dutchman Flat Sno-Park
• Can you ski back to the car? Yes
• Route Finding Difficulty: Easy
• Physical Exertion Difficulty: Easy
• Map

GETTING THERE:

Head up Cascade Lakes Highway towards Mt. Bachelor. Just after the sign to get to Sunrise Base Lodge on the left, you will see Dutchman Flat Sno-Park on your right. This is a common trailhead for snowmobilers, snowshoers, and backcountry touring enthusiasts alike. Please note that on busy weekends, this sno-park can often get full. They take the no parking signs very seriously and regularly ticket those who do not obey. If you can’t find parking, a better option is to drive into the Mt. Bachelor parking area and head towards the Skyliner parking area. You can skin through the trees from the parking lot to the highway and carefully cross the road to get to the trailhead.

HIKING UP:

Hiking up Tumalo Mountain is pretty straightforward. Upon leaving the parking lot, simply head straight up. It is rare for there not to be at least two skin tracks heading up out of the parking lot. There is also a toilet at the trailhead if you need it.

A little over a mile into your climb, the trees will clear out and you will be in an open field. From there you’ll see the last little bit of the climb to the summit. On a clear day, Mt. Bachelor will be looming behind you, and I highly suggest going all the way to the top for the views!

The last bit of the climb gets a good bit steeper and the trees get tighter. Often this area is windblown, so if it is a stormy day, feel free to stop at the base of the short summit block to avoid the high winds at the top. You won’t need crampons for this side of the mountain.

Upon reaching the summit you can also drop the bowl to the west, this is the steepest run Tumalo Mountain has to offer. When you finish your bowl run and turn around to head up, you’ll want to skin up the right side of the bowl along the ridge line back to the top. Please note that the bowl has significantly higher avalanche potential than the route back through the trees to the car. If you intend to drop the bowl, please carry your avalanche gear with you and check local avalanche conditions before heading out.

GETTING BACK TO THE CAR:

To ride back to the car, you will head straight down the way you came up. If it’s a clear day, try to keep Mt. Bachelor straight on, and you should end up close to the parking lot. If you go too far to the right you’ll end up on Dutchman Flat and need to walk out. If you go too far to the left, you will end up on a snowmobile trail and need to walk/skin back to the parking lot. The slope is mellow and the trees don’t get tight until the very bottom.

If you’re really up for an adventure, there are plenty of spots on the summit to pitch a tent and stay the night. The sunrise views are unbeatable!

PROS:

• Easy access for a quick backcountry day.
• Easy route-finding
• Beautiful Views
• Untracked lines after every storm

CONS:

• Parking area can get very crowded
• If the snow is really deep, it’s almost not steep enough in spots to keep your speed

THE SPLIT DECISION:

Jay’s Take: “Tumalo is a great mountain to do backcountry on near Bend. It only takes a few hours and you get epic views of the neighboring mountains like South Sister and Mt. Bachelor. It is the perfect mountain to take beginners on as well.”

Tyese’s Take: “I love Tumalo. It is my go-to route when I only have 2-3 hours in the morning or after work. It’s also my favorite place to hit after Bachelor is tracked out. There are always fresh lines on Tumalo! I also love that it’s a relatively safe zone from avalanches, you might need to worry about tree wells more than avalanche danger!“

Jay's Current Backcountry Gear

Tyese's Current Backcountry Gear