DEE WRIGHT OBSERVATORY
TOURIST INFORMATION GUIDE
WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST
LATITUDE: N 44°15.633
LONGITUDE: W 121°48.072
(GPS from Dee Wright Observatory)
Between Sisters and McKenzie, OR
Vehicles over 35' prohibited
Also see: McKENZIE / SANTIAM PASS

Dee Wright Observatory
September 24, 2007

Dee Wright Observatory

Mystical and magical are terms used to describe
Dee Wright Observatory near McKenzie Summit.
Hwy.242 about 15 miles from Sisters, OR
Walk to the top and there is a mountain identifier.

Dee Wright Observatory
Hwy.242 / McKenzie Summit

Dee Wright Observatory from Distance.
Notice all the people on top of Observatory.

Dee Wright Observatory

Dee Wright Observatory

Dee Wright Observatory
Stairs lead to the observatory.

Dee Wright Observatory

Mountain Identifier at top of Dee Wright Observatory
It snowed the last couple days...
October 5, 2007

Mountain Identifier on top of Dee Wright Observatory

There is a mountain identifier on the top
of Dee Wright Observatory. Includes
Mount Washington, Mount Jefferson,
the Three Sisters with the Little Brother
and Husband. Mount Hood can also be
viewed, but we haven't been able to see
it for years...

Looking out the windows at Dee Wright Observatory
Each window looks out towards a different mountain.
Snow storms block the mountain views on this day.

When standing inside Dee Wright Observatory
the windows act as a mountain identifier. Each
window looks out towards a mountain with the
name of mountain or landmark.

McKenzie Summit / Elevation 5325'
Viewed from Dee Wright Observatory

Dee Wright Observatory is at the summit
of McKenzie Pass on Highway 242.

Mount Washington
Viewed from Dee Wright Observatory

Mount Jefferson
Viewed from Dee Wright Observatory

Three Sisters Mountains
(North and Middle Sisters Mountains)
Viewed from Dee Wright Observatory

The views are incredible and inspiring...

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

PHOTO HERE
Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory
This is the fourth plaque in the series.
(No photo at present time)

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

Plaques at Dee Wright Observatory

There are a series of four plaques near the
base of Dee Wright Observatory that explain
some of the history and geological facts...

Plaques along the trail near
Dee Wright Observatory.

Hwy.242 / Milepost 74

Surrounded by lava fields for an out-of-this
world experience.

Hwy.242 / Milepost 78

Hwy.242 / Milepost 78

McKenzie Summit
Hwy.242 towards Sisters, OR

Highway 242 passes through the Lava Fields.
Driving through this section of road is not
the normal. It makes an impression on your
memory that will last forever.

Dispersed Camp at Milepost 59.3

Dee Wright Observatory covered with snow
October 5, 2007

These photos are from Oct. 5, 2007.
Check the photos from Sept. 24, 2007
which was only 1 1/2 weeks ago.
Winter hits hard and fast...

Snow covered Lava Fields.
Looking towards xx Butte and Crater.
This was the first snowfall of the year
and winter has only started.
October 5, 2007

McKenzie Summit / Hwy.242
This is the first snowfall of the year and winter
has just started. It gets cold and heavy snow.
Hwy.242 is closed during winter months.
October 5, 2007

McKenzie Summit / Hwy.242
Viewed from the top of Dee Wright Observatory.
October 5, 2007

Bird at Dee Wright Observatory
Winter snow in background... poor little
bird must be cold and hungry.

Summer brings some perfect weather...

Lava Camp Lake

Morning Mist on Lava Camp Lake
September 24, 2007

LAVA CAMP LAKE CAMPGROUND
LATITUDE: N 44°15.640
LONGITUDE: W 121°47.177
Road#900 near McKenzie Summit
1/2 mile west from Dee Wright Observatory
(Listed under Free Campgrounds)

Scott Lake Campground

SCOTT LAKE CAMPGROUND
This is a free campground...
LATITUDE: N 44°12.646
LONGITUDE: W 121°53.245
(GPS From information sign near entrance)
LATITUDE: N 44°12.704
LONGITUDE: W 121°53.407
(GPS From dispersed campsite)
Hwy. 242 between milepost 71- 72
Road#260 for 1/2 mile
Picnic tables, firerings, and outhouse.
A couple sites with parking and walk-in
tent sites. Trailheads lead to many small
lakes within a short distance...
(Listed under Free Campgrounds)

ALDER SPRINGS CAMPGROUND
This is a free campground...
LATITUDE: N 44°10.625
LONGITUDE: W 121°54.802
Highway 242 near milepost 65.8
Picnic tables, metal firerings, and outhouse.
Trailhead for Linton Lake
(Listed under Free Campgrounds)

Log Vehicular Bridge on Road#247
Road overgrown with trees and brush

ROAD#247
LATITUDE: N 44°09.675
LONGITUDE: W 121°59.622
From Hwy.224 near milepost 60.2
Log Vehicular Bridge...
This is historic but goes mostly unnoticed.
There is a primitive campsite near the bridge.

Log Vehicular Bridge on Road#220

ROAD#220
LATITUDE: N 44°10.304
LONGITUDE: W 122°02.215
From Hwy.224 near milepost 57.5
3/4 mile east from Limberlost Campground
Turn on Road#220 and bridge about 1/4 mile
Another Historic Log Vehicular Bridge...
This bridge is mostly collapsed...
For good photos of the bridge, you need artificial
lighting, because it is always shaded.
Primitive campsite near the bridge.

Scott Road Historic Sign

SCOTT ROAD HISTORIC SIGN
LATITUDE: N 44°12.618
LONGITUDE: W 121°52.554
In 1862 Felix Scott led a crew of 50 men
who blazed a trail across the Cascade Mountains
following an old Indian trail which skirted the
lava flows. Scott hoped to use the new route...
Click above image for large view

Pioneer Mailman Historic Sign

PIONEER MAILMAN HISTORIC SIGN
LATITUDE: N 44°14.924
LONGITUDE: W 121°50.342
Highway 242 between milepost 75 - 76
The mailman was caught in a sudden storm
and froze to death while delivering the
Christmas mail in 1877.

Small lake east from Pioneer Mailman Historic Sign

xx LAKE
LATITUDE: N 44°14.954
LONGITUDE: W 121°50.225
Just east from Pioneer Mailman Historic Sign

Elk on Hwy.242 near Sisters, OR

DIRECTIONS:
From Sisters, OR
From Hwy.20 on west end of town
Turn on Highway 242 / Santiam Scenic Byway
Dee Wright Observatory 15 miles

From Eugene / Springfield
Take Highway 126 for xx miles(milepost 55)
Take Highway 242 / Santiam Scenic Byway

ROAD CONDITIONS:
Highway 242 is paved
Narrow, curves, and grades
Vehicles over 35' prohibited
Closed in winter.

MAP
These are our personal hand drawn maps
Not guaranteed for accuracy

Lake Billy Chinook

CAMPGROUND INDEX
Complete free campground listing

CAMPING ADVICE AND TIPS

TOURIST PHOTOS

Snow covered trail through the Lava Field
October 5, 2007

There was evidence that someone used the
observatory as shelter from the storm. With
all the windows, makes that a questionable
proposition.

www.eugenecarsey.com

dispersedcampgrounds.com
Free camping and campgrounds
OREGON CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST
WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST