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While the cool weather might cause some delays, hikers and mountain bikers should be on the lookout for reports of high country trails opening soon as the snowline continues to recede. Deschutes National Forest trail crew supervisor Joe Welke wrote in his last at the end of May that snow still remained above 5,500 feet and forest visitors should expect a late melt-out. The last few weeks of sunny, 80-degree weather should have made significant progress.

Check out and the BendTrails Facebook group for more specific trail updates.

Below are some recommended spots for recreation this weekend. (Warning: this is a bike-heavy edition.)

Plenty of mountain bike options from Sisters

Whether you live in Sisters or you’re getting a little tired of Phil’s trails, the Sisters area trails offer a nice change of scenery. Peterson Ridge is around a 16-mile loop with various trail options en route that starts from just the south end of town. It ranges from beginner and intermediate terrain with a combination of singletrack and old Forest Service roads. (I hear this can also be a good spot to take a gravel bike. I plan on trying it out in the next couple of weeks.)

The trails around Black Butte are another option. The 11.8-mile, intermediate Upper Butte Loop is accessible from beginner Lower Butte Loop. The upper loop circles the butte through old growth ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and sub-alpine vegetation, offering views of the Cascades at the occasional clearing. These are also reachable from of town via the 6.5-mile Sisters Tie trail, which starts from the north end of Sisters and connects with the lower loop at Indian Ford Campground.

Biting kokanee at Paulina Lake

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife , kokanee are biting at Paulina Lake. Anglers have reported productive rainbow trout fishing and excellent kokanee fishing, with fish averaging 12 inches. As a new rule, anglers can now keep five kokanee along with the daily five trout limit.

Paulina Lake is east of La Pine and about a 50-minute drive from Bend. Take Highway 97 south and Paulina-East Lake Road east. Paulina Lake is one of two crate lakes, the other being East Lake, in the Newberry Crater area. At over 6,000 feet, the lake is typically more accessible late in the season. Recreationists may encounter snow when visiting in June. According to the forest service, is expected to open Friday.

In addition to the reports, the fish and wildlife department provided for catching kokanee — like fishing from a boat, jiggling, trolling and using colored bait.

Give some love back to the trails

is hosting a on Saturday at the Wanoga trail complex. Its goal is to have more than 100 volunteers show up to work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering coffee, lunch and beer. The day will start with a safety talk from a crew leader. Then groups will split up and head to different work sites. No previous trail work experience is needed and children are welcome with a parent or guardian.

Volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes, long sleeves and long pants they don’t mind getting dirty. They should also wear sunglasses or borrow eye protection and bring water and snacks. Tools, work gloves and hard hats, which are required, will be provided. Parking is at the east end of Wanoga Sno-park, off of Cascade Lakes Highway, about a 20-minute drive from Bend.

Ride a traffic-free McKenzie Pass

McKenzie Pass usually would be reopening this weekend (the third weekend in June), but due to repaving work on the east side, the pass will remain closed into July. For cyclists, this is a great opportunity to ride the scenic highway while it’s closed to traffic.

Last Sunday, my mom and I met one of her co-workers at the western junction of Highway 126 and 242 to ride the west side up to the Dee Wright Observatory and back. It made for a 45-mile ride, and with an additional couple of switchbacks, just over 4,000 feet of climbing. The first gate closure we encountered was near Proxy Falls Trailhead. From there, it was 13 miles of open road up to the observatory. Although the road is clear, riders should avoid crossing the center line. We encountered many other cyclists descending as we were climbing. Some appeared to have come from Sisters and were climbing both sides of the pass.

Be aware that Oregon Department of Transportation work crews are currently repaving the east side of the highway. Cyclists and others who choose to pass closed gates do so at their own risk. The pass is the morning of July 4.

For a full list of conditions updated regularly, visit bendbulletin.com/explore/conditions.