Location: Central Oregon, in the Cascade Mountain Range through Deschutes and Willamette National Forests Length: 82 miles (132 km) Time To Allow: 3 to 5 hours Description/Highlights/Points of Interest Experience dramatic, close-up views of the most beautiful snow-capped High Cascade Peaks. The lava fields and six Cascade peaks, as viewed from the summit of McKenzie Pass, is made even more striking by the contrast between the black lava and white snow. The mountains are mirrored in crystal-clear lakes, and the byway passes thundering waterfalls, including Sahalie and Koosah Falls. Suggested Itinerary Travelers generally access this loop drive from two primary points. Arriving from the west, begin the byway at the junction of historic Highway 242 and Highway 126, about five miles (8 km) east of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. Arriving from the east, you can access the byway from Sisters, Oregon, a lively town chock-full of arts and crafts offerings and special events such as the annual quilt show and jazz festival, following an early western theme set back in time to the 1800s. From the western point of entry, turn right to travel up Highway 242, the McKenzie Pass Route. The forest along the byway on this portion is dark green, characterized by water loving species such as hemlocks, cedars and firs. The climb eastward up Highway 242 is through a thickly vegetated, narrow corridor. Here the road meanders and travel is slow. Plan to spend about an hour to hike the 1 1/4 mile (2 km) Proxy Falls Trailhead loop trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness, to take in the beauty of both falls. Climbing up Dead Horse Grade, take a few moments to get off the highway at the Scott Road Historical Marker/Pulloff. Open views of the Three Sisters Mountains, part of the Cascade Range and originally named in the 1840s "Faith, Hope and Charity," lie to the east. The Scott Road was really an old settler trail named after Felix Scott, Jr. (1829–1879) who pioneered a wagon trail/road over the Cascades northeast of McKenzie Bridge. This route, part of which is maintained, trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness, proved to be almost impassible for wagon travel. A great photo opportunity awaits at Belknap Crater Viewpoint. You can view this crater and the smaller cone of Little Belknap Crater. Don't let its size fool you — Little Belknap was the origin of the immense lava fields in the foreground. Use caution when walking out onto the lava fields. From the craters, plan on an hour to tour the Dee Wright Observatory and walk the half-mile (.8 km) Lava River Trail, where you can view the sights at Windy Point Viewpoint. At an elevation of 4,909 feet (1496 m), Windy Point offers a picturesque view of the lava flows and volcanic peaks. Although there is little vegetation on the lava fields, as you make your descent down from the summit of the McKenzie Pass, a mixed conifer forest returns, eventually giving way to Ponderosa Pines at the lower elevation. It is the dramatic transition between these diverse natural environments that defines the uniqueness of this byway. The Santiam Pass Route begins at the town of Sisters and heads north at the junction of Highway 126/20 and 242. Once on the Santiam Pass Route, your first stop should be Black Butte Ranch, which is a privately operated resort that includes lodging, golf course, equestrian stables and dining. Black Butte is the prominent composite cone north of the highway. In spite of its youthful profile, Black Butte is older than many of the dissected High Cascade peaks. The U.S. Forest Service operates a lookout on the top. Geologic and forest interpretive information is available at Mt. Washington Viewpoint. This roadside pulloff offers a spectacular view of the volcanic peak and basin (5 minute stop). From this point, Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls are visible. At Koosah Falls, the McKenzie River surges over a 70-foot (21.3 m) high basalt cliff. This waterfall derives its name from the chinook jargon meaning "heaven" or "sky." Plan to spend a half-hour here to take pictures and view the interpretive panels featuring geologic history. Or hike for an hour on the Waterfalls Loop trail that connects this site with Sahalie Falls. Travel Season/Dates Highway 242 closed from mid-November to mid-June. Did You Know? Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls can be located on the old "Clear Lake Cutoff" on Highway 126. Sahalie ("Heaven") and Koosah ("Sky") are Chinook Jargon words — part of a rudimentary trade language that allowed people to exchange news and goods in the area.