Part of Pilot Butte Base Trail closing Sept. 8 for stair replacement

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon State Parks will temporarily close a section of the Base Trail on the north side of Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint in Bend. The closure is scheduled to begin Sept. 8 and run through Oct. 9 while crews replace stairs along a steep portion of the path.

The affected trail section is located near Pilot Butte Middle School. Project workers will replace the existing stair structure to improve trail safety and long-term sustainability and fencing will block off the work zone during construction.

The construction project is a joint effort between Oregon State Parks and the Deschutes Trails Coalition. The Deschutes Trails Coalition will lead the stair replacement project with support from state park staff. Funding for the work is provided by a grant awarded through the Bend Sustainability Fund.

Trail users can access open portions of the base trail through surrounding connector points. Visitors can reach the trail east of the closed section via the Larkspur Trail, or west of the closure near Juniper Elementary School. State park officials request that hikers respect the fenced closure area and use other open sections of the trail.