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OUTDOORS Stunning snowshoe trek on Santiam Pass The Isaac Nickerson Loop offers views of the Three Sisters, Mount Washington and Three Fingered Jack Comment By Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal MailTribune.com By Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Before last week, I knew almost nothing about Ikenick Sno-Park. The winter recreation spot is located near Santiam Pass — off Highway 126 — but sits at such a low elevation there’s been almost zero snow there the past two seasons. Call it a snowless sno-park. Internet searches yield little on the area’s recreation, beyond the fact that you can snowshoe, ski and snowmobile there. Yet I was curious. The book “Snowshoe Routes: Oregon,” by Shea Andersen, gives the area rave reviews. And considering this year’s above-average snowpack, I figured it was time to see what Ikenick brought to the table. I was impressed. The 4.4-mile Isaac Nickerson Loop, which begins at Ikenick, is among the best snowshoe routes on Santiam Pass. The route travels second-growth forest to spectacular views of the Three Sisters, Mount Washington and Three Fingered Jack. Well marked and not too steep, the route is moderate in difficulty and long enough for a satisfying afternoon in the mountains. “Ikenick is a good place if you want to avoid the larger crowds,” Willamette National Forest public information officer Katie Isacksen said. “Even on sunny weekends, you’ll only find around five cars there.” On a blissfully sunny day, I snowshoed the route with my 15-month-old daughter, Lucy. She enjoyed the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches just as much as the mountain views. INTO THE IKE There’s no foolproof guide to outdoor adventures with children, but there are a few helpful tips I’ve picked up along the way. The first is to travel during naptime, which for Lucy is right around 9:30 or 10 a.m. We left Salem after a filling breakfast and, as we passed Mill City, she fell asleep to the sound of country music. I’m not sure why whiskey bottles and love gone wrong lull her to sleep so well, but I’ve become a convert to steel guitar and Southern drawl as a result. The drive is one I’ve made quite a few times to places like Clear Lake, Sahalie Falls and McKenzie River Trail — all located nearby. There’s a small sign for Ikenick, but it’s still easy to miss and doesn’t amount to much except a small pullout with a sign and map. There are signs for two routes at the parking area — one for Isaac Nickerson and another for Prairie View Loop. Both begin by climbing up snow-covered Forest Service Road 2672. I slipped on my snowshoes, put Lucy into a front carrier, placed the backpack on my back and headed off. Traveling with this much uneven weight, I was glad to have brought ski poles. After 0.3 miles, I reached a junction with FSR 650 and turned left, stepping over a gate to begin the Nickerson Loop. The route began in quiet second-growth forest, climbing slowly up the wide, snowy road. At mile 1.1, I reached a junction with FSR 637 and turned left, following a well-established trail and blue diamonds into a tighter, more densely forested pathway. The next 0.9 miles were shaded and quiet, following what felt more like a trail than a road among large Douglas firs and hemlocks. At mile 2, I reached an opening in the forest and a view of all Three Sisters across the valley. Lucy and I found a nice place to sit and eat a lunch of peanut butter and jelly, bananas and Cliff bars. (Yes, I let my daughter eat Cliff bars, although I wouldn’t say I have a choice. Every time I eat them, she climbs on top of me and demands bites.) After lunch, we traveled a short distance to a viewpoint of Mount Washington before the route began looping back. At mile 2.4, we reached FSR 650, turned right and headed back down the wide snowy road toward our car. We stopped and played in the snow at a viewpoint for Three Fingered Jack — rising high above the trees — and took our time on the way back down. One of Lucy’s favorite words is “tree,” and when she'd point out an interesting one, we’d stop and explore it for a while before continuing. The entire trip took about four hours, including our many stops, but could easily be completed more quickly. Then again, on a day when the sun is shining, the snow is deep and mountain views are this good, it’s a far better thing to take your time. I began the day knowing almost nothing about Ikenick Sno-Park. Now I look forward to returning. Zach Urness is author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at [email protected] or 503-399-6801. By Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal MailTribune.com By Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal Posted Feb. 28, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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