McKenzie Pass winter closure begins next Thursday; ODOT warns that going past gates is ‘at your own risk’

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — With winter approaching, Oregon Department of Transportation crews will close McKenzie Pass, Oregon Highway 242 next Thursday, marking the start of the annual seasonal closure.

McKenzie Pass is a scenic, secondary highway that closes each year as winter weather approaches. Due to weather, cost, and logistics, ODOT does not maintain the route through the winter, focusing instead on keeping main highways plowed, open, and safe. During the closure, vehicles are prohibited beyond the gates.  

"The annual seasonal closure is a highway closure, not a closure of public lands," the agency said. "Non-vehicle recreational users, such as skiers and snowshoers, going beyond the closed gates do so at their own risk."

ODOT said the U.S. Forest Service has published guidelines for recreating in a national forest. Recreationalists choosing to visit the area should follow the USFS guidelines and consider the potential risks.

Because the road is not maintained in winter, conditions can be hazardous. There are no services or cellphone coverage, and weather can change rapidly. As snow melts in spring, recreational users may encounter fallen trees, rockslides and damaged pavement.

McKenzie Pass became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 with the completion of the Clear Lake-Belknap Springs section of Oregon 126. Even during its time as the main route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, the narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months.

To see what routes are open over the mountains and to view current road and weather conditions, visit TripCheck.com or call 511.

More information on McKenzie Pass, OR 242, can be found on ODOT's website.