I’ve made three trips across the McKenzie Pass between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley since late August, 2026. McKenzie Pass is Oregon's most well known scenic byway. The first thing I noticed was that the pavement has been repaired. It’s so smooth you could ride a skate board down the whole mountain. The lane markings are new and bright which really helps when I’m looking for that next hint about which way the road is going to twist. By my rough reckoning the distance from the East snow gate to the West snow gate must be about 35 miles with about half of it made up of switchbacks and esses.
After my first trip I resolved to return, a second time, with my video camera secured to my chest and ready for action. Unfortunately, when the day arrived, after just a few minutes at highway speed I managed kill to a large flying insect with my camera lens, something I only learned hours later when I tried to review the video files. Very frustrating !
This video is the result of the third transit which I made on Sept. 19th, 2026. We started from the East with our first stop being at DeWright Observatory. The East slope has seen some wildfire damage with the turns tightening up significantly toward the top. Those rocks look sharp as I turn in on the right handers. The down hill twisties get started about 18:30 into the video.
Leaving DeWright Observatory the road snakes through several miles of lava fields before it begins what seems to be the longest down hill grade in existence through mixed forests. There are several attractions along the descent including Proxy Falls. Some day I’ll slowdown enough to take ‘em in.
At 53:30 we arrive at the intersection if HWY 126 and 242 where we turned around and headed back up. After an hour and twenty-two minutes the video ends at DeWright Observatory. This last portion of the video covers the tight up hill twisties on the West slope.
The advisory speed and directional signs are really helpful. 50 MPH means open the throttle NOW. 40 MPH means steady throttle. 25 & 30 MPH means trailing throttle while 15 MPH means STAY OUTSIDE.
Hope you enjoy the video.
KZQ
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