McKenzie Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McKenzie Pass |
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| Elevation | 5,325 ft (1,623 m) |
| Traversed by |  OR 242 |
| Location | Deschutes and Linn counties, Oregon, United States |
| Range | Cascades |
| Coordinates | 44°15′35″N 121°48′35″W / 44.25972°N 121.80972°W |
 Location in Oregon
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McKenzie Pass is a high mountain pass located in the Cascade Range in central Oregon, United States. It sits at an elevation of about 5,325 feet (1,623 meters) above sea level. This pass is known for its beautiful scenery and unique landscape.
It is found right on the border of Linn and Deschutes counties. The pass is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Bend. It is located between the Three Sisters mountains to the south and Mount Washington to the north. Oregon Route 242, a scenic highway, travels over the pass.
At the very top of McKenzie Pass, Oregon Route 242 crosses a large area of lava rock. This lava flow covers about 65 square miles (168 square kilometers). The Dee Wright Observatory was built here in 1935. It was named after Dee Wright, who was a foreman for the workers who built it. Visitors can climb the observatory to see amazing views of the Cascade peaks. Close to the summit is Clear Lake, which is a popular spot for freshwater diving.
Oregon Route 242 is a winding road with many sharp turns. Because of this, it is not a good road for large trucks, trailers, or motor homes. The pass is usually closed from November to July each year because of heavy snow.
The pass gets its name from Donald McKenzie. He was a fur trader from Scotland and Canada. In the early 1800s, he explored parts of the Pacific Northwest for the Pacific Fur Company.
Climate
The climate at McKenzie Pass is cold and snowy for much of the year. Winters are very cold, with average high temperatures around 32-35°F (0-2°C) and lows around 18-22°F (-7 to -5°C). Snowfall is extremely heavy, often reaching over 60 inches (150 cm) per month in winter.
Summers are much milder, with average high temperatures in July and August around 71-72°F (22°C). Even in summer, nights can be cool, with lows around 42°F (5°C). The pass receives a lot of precipitation, especially in the winter months.
Astronaut Training
Between 1964 and 1966, parts of central Oregon were used as a training area for Apollo astronauts. The astronauts practiced walking on the land because it looked similar to the surface of the Moon. This helped them prepare for their missions to space.
On August 25, 1964, astronaut Walter Cunningham was training in a lava flow at McKenzie Pass. He had some trouble and fell, tearing his space suit. Cunningham later flew on the Apollo 7 mission in 1968.
