Blue Skies Smiling – Ochoco National Forest – Bandit Springs Sno-Park – Central Oregon – 4K

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, Ochoco National Forest near Prineville, starting at Bandit Springs Sno-Park and hiking Ponderosa Pine Loop to Ochoco Way Loop to the Shelter and back to the Trailhead, approximately 5.2 miles and 500 feet elevation gain. Due to heavy pack snow accumulation and icy snow it was necessary to deploy snowshoes and trekking poles. The temperature was 26 when I arrived with 20 wind chill. The sky was mostly overcast but the blue sky did come out near the end of the hike. This was hiked on 1/17/2022 and there were of course NO Mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway to the Bandit Springs Sno-Park parking lot which is literally directly off the highway and in great condition and well paved. 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 since it is a heavy snow/ice area.