Start the Snowshoeing Season with Swampy Lakes Sno-Park – Central Oregon

My goal of these wilderness trail videos is to 1) show reverence for the beauty of the land, and 2) give YOU actionable trail information that can assist you in planning your own hike here.

This was a day-hike in Central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest near Mount Bachelor, starting at Sunrise at Swampy Lakes Sno-Park and hiking Porcupine Snowshoe Loop to Swampy Shelter as Part 1 of our adventure, and Long Snowshoe Loop to Nordeen Shelter as Part 2 of our adventure, totaling 9 miles and approximately 800 - 900 ft elevation gain (Trailhead starts at 5800 feet). Due to the trail being packed down and grooved in the snow, it was not necessary to deploy snowshoes and trekking poles, good old fashioned boot packin' was sufficient. Weather was frigid, temperature was 13 with wind chill down to 5 with occasional minor snow flurries. The sky was classic bluebird, beautiful endless blue skies. This was hiked on 12/14/2021 and there were of course NO Mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway to the Swampy Lakes Sno-Park parking lot which is in great condition. In my opinion, the road most definitely DOES NOT require 4-Wheel Drive, however do watch for road conditions as far as snow/ice and plan accordingly.