Written by Jay Geib
Springtime Adventures in Bend
Spring is short, sweet, and one of our favorite seasons in Bend. It is that special time where the mountains are still covered in snow but lower in elevation the sun is shining, the days are getting longer, and mother nature is waking up from its winter slumber. Spring just might be the moment in the year when it's possible to do the most activities in Bend. Whether you’re kayaking on the Deschutes River or skiing the slushy slopes of Mt. Bachelor, nearly anything is possible during this sweet little window of time! Below we put together a list of some of our favorite springtime activities!
1. Snow to flow
This certainly takes the top spot on our list and with good reason. The water cycle in Central Oregon is incredibly important and a healthy and stable snowpack provides us and the high desert ecosystem as a whole with the sustained water we need to survive and thrive. As the snow melts, it eventually makes its way into the rivers and streams that flow towards Bend where it can be used for drinking, farming, and more. One awesome way to connect to and better understand the water cycle while incorporating some adventure is what we like to call Snow to Flow. For me personally, that means heading up to Mt. Bachelor for a day of slushy spring snowboarding followed by a cold plunge or floating in the Deschutes River. It's so awesome to be able to ride on the snow that eventually will melt and flow through town via the mighty Deschutes!
2. Enjoying the warmth and the sunshine
As simple as it may sound, the energy in the air on that first warm day of spring is always palpable! You can sense the excitement as people get out to hike, bike, paddleboard, kayak, enjoy a beer on a patio, and more. With this winter in Bend holding on a little longer than usual, I know that everyone at Wanderlust is excited for the warmer weather!
3. Biking
Whether you’re a mountain biker or a road biker, Bend can scratch any two-wheel itch your heart desires! With numerous mountain biking trails as well as scenic road options, it's time to dust off your bike, check the tire pressure and get going.
4. Getting out on the Deschutes River
Kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, or all of the above, floating on the waters of the Deschutes is a beautiful place to be on a warm spring day, especially as wildflowers start blooming and wildlife such as otters and osprey are out and about!
5. Spring skiing and snowboarding
Whether you ride on the resort or in the backcountry, spring is still an amazing time to enjoy the last of the winter snowpack. Days at Mt. Bachelor are filled with slushy snow, clear skies, and endless runs off of Summit. For those inclined to earn their turns, the options are endless. My personal favorite has to be anywhere above treeline in the Three Sisters Wilderness!
6. Hiking and trail running
While the trails at higher elevations are still under a blanket of snow, down low the trails are just waiting for hikers and runners. We love the Deschutes River Trail because of the incredibly easy access as well as the natural beauty and geology of the area. There are plenty of other amazing trails and areas worth checking out as well such as Smith Rock, Tumalo Falls, and more. For great mountain views, check out Bessie Butte or Pilot Butte!
7. Rock Climbing
Bend is well known for amazing rock climbing and bouldering areas such as Smith Rock and after a long winter, it's no surprise to see those areas buzzing with activity as folks defy gravity and push themselves!
8. Sunrise and Sunset
Bend is lucky to have such amazing sunrises and sunsets and I think the best sunrises and sunsets come in the spring. To me, what makes an incredible sunrise or sunset is light cloud cover. The sun’s plethora of colors are able to bounce off the clouds and truly show themselves as the sun hits the horizon. The more variable weather of the springtime means more mornings and evenings with slightly cloudy skies, creating the intense and awe inspiring glow of yellow, orange, red, and purple! Also, the mountains are still snow capped in the spring which makes the amazing array of color even more incredible.
9. The Unofficial Bend Decathlon
As I said earlier, spring just might be the moment of the year where it is possible to do the most activities in Bend and a fun, completely made up challenge that I like to embark on from time to time is something I like to call the Unofficial Bend Decathlon. It’s pretty simple, the idea is to do as many activities as possible in a day. It’s up to you or your group what you decide to do, whether it be skiing, floating, swimming, golfing, biking, or one of the other seemingly endless activities possible in Bend. For Wanderlust, that could mean watching the sunrise with a fresh coffee, heading to Mt. Bachelor for some spring riding, followed by kayaking on the Deschutes, a short hike, exploring a lava tube cave, and capping off the day by enjoying a cold beer from a local brewery as we watch the sunset over the Cascades. If you want something a little more official and a lot more competitive, check out the annual Pole, Pedal, Paddle race!
