FIRST HWY 242 SNOW GATE IS OPEN

Motorists may gain access to Scenic Route in mid-June

OLD MCKENZIE PASS: With over 30 feet of snow still to get through at the top of the Old McKenzie Pass (Hwy 242), Oregon Dept. of Transportation crews have a lot of work ahead of them.  

The most recent report from Oregon Department of Transportation says plow operators have been clearing a travel lane but caution motorists to be patient and remember that workers are up there daily to make the highway travel safe. They made more progress this week, but one driver said this is the hardest snow he’s seen in years, as there’s lots of ice mixed in. Though rising temperatures will likely help, it’s entirely possible the scenic route won’t be open for motor vehicles until June 19th, or later, this year. The earliest opening date for motorized travel is set for the third Monday of June, which has been the average opening date over the last 25 years.

Photo Courtesy ODOT. An rotary plow was near milepost 72 last Thursday, where about seven feet of snow lay ahead. It had taken three days to clear about two miles.