Climb a big volcano without any technical issues, a trail will take you to the summit. Mt. Bachelor is one of 34 cascade mountains rising above 9,000 feet. Bachelor is the sixth largest ski resort in the United States, you certainly can go in winter and get a ride to the summit area. But for a regular climb, go after the resort closes, that is when the official trail opens, although snow will cover much of it until summer.
The trail starts near the Sunrise Lodge, which is closed in the off season, including the parking area. So you have to park off of Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway at the gate. Walk up the road to the last parking lot and look for a dirt trail going into the forest to the right of the open ski slope.
Access
From Bend, take 372 west (Cascades Lakes Highway) around 20 miles to the Mt. Bachelor signs.
Route
Just hike the trail to the summit or go directly to the top via the ski slopes. Another option would be to take the Pine Marten Lift (chairlift ticket required) from the West Village base to the mid-mountain level at 7,775 feet and hike from there to the summit. This second option is only available in summer and is not reliable due to weather conditions and other factors that stop the lift.
