Coming Home to an Oregon Winter

October 20, 2017
It might not be Pipeline, but Gerry Lopez will take a rippable left anywhere he can find one.

 

I grew up wishing for a year-round winter. Even at an early age, I realized how special Central Oregon was and how lucky we were to have this private winter playground.

 

And while the area has grown in size since my friends and I were last in the lift lines at Mt. Bachelor, the determined soul can still find plenty of solitude among the grand slopes of the Cascade Mountains. You see, the thing I love most about winter in the hills is the isolation. And while we had it good, I mean, really good, it’s still possible to get way out there and find your own slice of the proverbial pie.

Snowmobiles help. As do split-boards and motivated legs. Over the last few winters, I’ve been fortunate enough to use all three and have been astounded at the places I’ve been. I can’t name them or give any hints, but their locations don’t matter anyway. What does matter is that it’s out there. Vast, sprawling, powder-filled wilderness and it is good.

And while a lot has changed in the way we enjoy the season, one constant remains: the adolescent daydream of an endless winter.

Mt Hood Oregon
Mt. Hood. The defining feature of Oregon’s volcanic Cascade Range.
Timberline Lodge covered in snow Mt Hood Oregon
Usually, you can see the entirety of Timberline Lodge’s unique and classic architecture. I guess you could say it was a good winter.
Oregon is still full of wide-open spaces to roam.
Some people might complain about the rain and snow, but we wouldn’t have our waterfalls without it. Bring on the winter!

About The
Author

Mark McInnis
Mark McInnis is a roaming photographer rooted in the Pacific Northwest. He’s known for bringing the earth’s natural beauty — and those that delight in it — to a wide range of clients and projects.