Spring hits Bend area trails
Some snow lingers, but most Central Oregon trails in good shape – The Bulletin

1 Max King
2 Andy Martin
3 Paul Parsons
4 Jeff Browning
5 Nathan Robinson
6 Chris Manfredi
7 Josh Nordell
8 Scotty Carlile
9 Joel Vergona
10 Ryan Shaffer
FULL RESULTS.

I just picked up “Best Easy Day Hikes, Bend and Central Oregon.” It’s an awesome little pocket book and a really good resource. The Falcom Guides book by Portland’s Lizann Dunegan.

Among the hikes included are: The River Trail, Shevlin Park Loop, Fall River, Osprey Point, Green Lakes, Lava Lands Visitor Center Trails, Paulina Lake Loop and many others.

It’s a great way to get started and has lots of valuable information.

– A photo I took on the trail in Wai’anapanapa State Park.

For some reason there is a strong Central Oregon/Maui connection. I’m not positive why that is but I’m guessing it has to do with the adventures and lifestyle that both provide. The Hawaiian island of Maui has numerous great hiking trails like Bend. Here are a few of my favorites.
• Seven sacred pools (Loop – Hana) – Maybe the most well known hike in Maui, the pools themselves are truly amazing. One of the prettier places you’ll ever see. Don’t expect to have the trail to yourself, this is a VERY popular place, but well worth checking out.
• Swinging bridges (Out and back – Waihee) – This is a really nice hike on “the other side of the island.” Worth doing for several reasons, one of which is that you may spend a lot of time in Maui and never go to Waihee unless you have this hike as a destination. Another reason is for the nice swimming hole @ the end of the hike.
• Iao valley (Out and back – Wailuku) – This is a hike I made several times and every time was different because you have so many trail options. This hike is a must because of the view you get of the valley all the way to the ocean, truly amazing.
• Wai’anapanapa State Park (Out and back – Hana) – This is my favorite hike by far! First is the fact that I’ve done it twice and never seen another person on the trail (once you get outside of the camping area) second is because it follows the most beautiful shore line and you get to have the ocean right next to you the whole way and third because the volcanic lava rock that forms the shoreline makes for the coolest crashing waves I’ve ever seen.

For great info on all-things Maui, checkout the book “Maui Revealed.” It’s no doubt the best book about Maui, everything from activities to where to stay to where to eat… and where not to eat! A must if you are headed to Maui.

A labor of love
Jim Davis, who works year-round maintaining snowshoe trails, says he may be ready to pass the torch Jim Davis, who works year-round maintaining snowshoe trails, says he may be ready to pass the torch – By Katie Brauns / The Bulletin

Skiing Anthony Lakes
Powder, isolation and history all in northeast Oregon’s Blue Mountains – By John Gottberg Anderson •
For / The Bulletin

If you’ve lived in Bend for anytime at all, the odds are you’ve seen “Super Dave” running. The 6-foot-2 race director guesses that he’s logged over 15,000 miles running around Central Oregon since moving to Bend in 1992. COA asked a few questions of the founder of the very successful Dirty Half Marathon in Bend:
Central Oregon Athlete – How long have you worked @ Footzone?
Super Dave Thomason – Since 1996.
COA – When did you start directing/putting on races?
SDT – Spring of 1999 with the one and done Superdave’s Horse Ridge 10.5 miler. Cows outnumbered runners 3-1. Epic!
COA - What does it take to put on a successful race like the “Dirty Half”?
SDT - I think the Dirty Half has been successful for a few reasons. I focus on treating the athlete really well wether they are fast, slow, or otherwise. By treating them well I mean that everyone comes away with some kind of prize, I feed them really well, I design courses that are interesting and unique, and finally I give away good beer.
COA – What is your running back ground?
SDT – My running background peaked in 7th grade on a small middle school track team in Eugene. Since then it has been mediocre at best. But i really enjoy participating in events and trying not to slow down too much.
COA – I see you running around Bend all the time, what kind of miles do you log in Central Oregon?
STD – I usually get distracted by bikes and things in the summer so my mileage in the summer I would say is 15-20/wk. In the cooler months I tend to ramp up the running since it is easier to stay warm so I would say average 25-35. As I am getting more mature I would say that cross training is playing a much bigger roll so mileage isn’t what it used to be.
COA – Do you have a favorite workout in C.O.?
SDT – I really like workouts on Pilot Butte when I’m “fit”. Also recently the Tuesday workouts with Max King have been fun since there is a good crowd that shows up.

Eye-opening adventure
Guided snowshoe treks are easy-going, educational, and best of all, they’re free – By Ben Salmon / The Bulletin

Check out our EVENTS page for the most complete schedule of Central Oregon running races in 2010 that can be found anywhere on the internet. It’s going to be an amazing year, make it a fast one!

The “Event” page continues to grow, so keep checking back.

Delight in sight
Meissner Sno-park: new groomer, more trails — TLC works so all can play – By Katie Brauns/The Bulletin