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.

What's in the November, 2023 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• Bend Real Estate Sales Lacking Listings
• Brussel Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans
• 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Thanksgiving
• Hike to Broken Top From Todd Lake
• The Benefits of Buying a Multi-Generational Home

Bend Real Estate Sales Lacking Listings

The October 2023 figures for Bend single family home sales have been produced and lack of inventory appears to be a consistent problem. Inventory levels have dropped year over year as have pending sales and sold homes. Despite a rise in new listings, the overall Bend real estate market reflects an anemic number of sales with prices remaining high and high interest rates greatly impacting the buying power of would-be purchasers. 

When October of 2023 is compared with October of 2022, Bend single family home sales show the following changes:

• Average sales price down 3% to $795,928*
• Median sales price up 7.6% to $731,500
• New listings up 6.9% to 140
• Homes for sale down 33.1% to 297
• Pending sales down 8.9% to 102
• Sold homes down 21% to 128
• Average days on market down 7.3% to 38
• Months of supply down 15.4% to 2.2
• Average price per square...

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Eagle Crest is a Long Established Destination Golf Resort Community

Begun in 1985, Eagle Crest is recognized by Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development as one of eight destination resorts in the state. There are three golf courses, spa facilities, two sports and fitness centers, three outdoor pools and one indoor pool, 13 miles of paved paths, hiking trails, and a conference center all within 1700 acres. A variety of housing is available at Eagle Crest with everything from large, luxury homes to condominiums with fractional ownership. There is even a 55 plus development within the subdivision.

Eagle Crest Home Prices Have Stabilized

Eagle Crest home prices for single family residences increased dramatically during Covid and into 2022. However, during the past twelve months the median sales price for...

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The Hike to Broken Top is Among Central Oregon's Favorites

People exploring the Three Sisters Wilderness can hike to Broken Top from multiple trailheads. Three Creeks to Tam McArthur Rim provides for a social trail past Broken Hand to Broken Top and No Name Lake. Hikers looking for more distance can start at the Green Lakes Trailhead and hike Soda Creek to join with the Broken Top trail. Most people will drive past Todd Lake on the poorly maintained road to the Broken Top trailhead (high clearance vehicles are recommended) and cut the distance to 5.5 miles and under 1500 feet of elevation gain. And there is a well defined trail starting at Todd Lake which creates a much longer hike through old growth forest to join with the Soda Creek Trail and then the Broken Top trail. Total distance to the Broken Top summit exceeds 14 miles and pushes 2700 feet of elevation gain, but the experience is well worth it. Stunning views of Broken Top's eastern flank and Mt Bachelor become visible after hikers join with the Broken Top trail; bushwhacking in this open area can lead to new areas to explore and other beautiful views. 

The hike taken October 21, 2023 was on a sunny, warm day after snow had fallen the week before.  Remnants of melting snow were obvious, but created no real obstacles for hikers. This was also the first weekend in 2023 that did not require trailhead passes, so the trail was busy with many Broken Top hikers and off leash dogs; at times it seemed as if there were more dogs than people, but all encountered were well behaved and the people very friendly and happy to be out enjoying the beauty of the Central Oregon Cascades. No Name Lake was beautiful and cold with snow and glacial runoff, and the views from the summit toward Middle and North Sister were outstanding, although the ridge was very windy and not the best place to enjoy lunch.