McKenzie_Pass_–_Santiam_Pass_Scenic_Byway
The McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway is an 82-mile-long (132 km) National Scenic Byway in the U.S. state of Oregon. The route is a loop designed to provide a tour of the high Cascade Range northwest of Bend, passing over both McKenzie Pass and Santiam Pass.
McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway highlighted in red | |
| Route information | |
| Maintained by ODOT | |
| Length | 82.0 mi[1] (132.0 km) |
| Existed | February 8, 1989[2]–present |
| Component highways |  OR 242 from Sisters to Belknap Springs OR 126 from Belknap Springs to Sisters US 20 from near Santiam Junction to Sisters |
| Major junctions | |
| Tourist loop around Mount Washington | |
| CCW end | US 20 / OR 126 in Sisters |
| Major intersections |
|
| CW end | US 20 / OR 126 in Sisters |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| Counties | Deschutes, Lane, Linn, Jefferson |
| Highway system | |
The route begins on its eastern end at the town of Sisters in northern Deschutes County. It follows Oregon Route 126 westward over Santiam Pass south of Three Fingered Jack, then south along the valley of the McKenzie River. It then follows Oregon Route 242 eastward over McKenzie Pass, north of the Three Sisters then back to the town of Sisters. The route is considered a summer tour route, since the road over McKenzie Pass is closed in winter due to snowfall.
The McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway was designated a National Forest Scenic Byway on February 8, 1989. It was later made an Oregon State Scenic Byway on February 19, 1997 before becoming a National Scenic Byway on June 9, 1998.[2]
| County | Location | mi | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deschutes | Sisters | 84.83 0.00 | 136.52 0.00 |  US 20 east / OR 126 east – Sisters, Redmond, Bend  OR 224 begins | Clockwise end of US 20 and OR 126 overlaps; counter-clockwise end of OR 224 overlap |
| Lane | Belknap Springs | 36.59 | 58.89 | OR 126 east – Blue River, Eugene OR 224 ends | Clockwise end of OR 224 overlap; counter-clockwise end of OR 126 overlap |
| Linn | | 56.40 | 90.77 |  US 20 west – Sweet Home, Lebanon, Albany | Counter-clockwise end of US 20 overlap |
| Santiam Junction | 59.61 | 95.93 |  OR 22 west – Detroit, Salem | ||
| Deschutes | Sisters | 84.83 0.00 | 136.52 0.00 | US 20 east / OR 126 east – Sisters, Redmond, Bend OR 224 begins | Clockwise end of US 20 and OR 126 overlaps; counter-clockwise end of OR 224 overlap |
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
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- Staff. "McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway". National Scenic Byways. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
- Staff. "Official Designations". McKenzie Pass–Santiam Pass Scenic Byway. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
Media related to McKenzie-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway at Wikimedia Commons
