Dee Wright Observatory Overview
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Dee Wright Observatory
<p>Take a trip along the southern section of the <a href="http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/2148/maps">McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway</a> to the summit of the McKenzie Highway (242) and you will find the unusual and historic Dee Wright Observatory settled atop vast, black lava flows.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 510px;"><tbody><tr><td><img alt="view of Dee Wright Observatory from the parking lot. It looks like a pile of lava that you can climb up" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprd3794653" style="width: 155px;" /></td><td><img alt="view along the path up along the side of Dee Wright headed to the top. Views of mountains are in the distance" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprd3794654" style="width: 155px; height: 103px;" /></td><td><img alt="View from the top of the observatory through an opening to see the North Sister" src="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprd3794655" style="width: 155px; height: 103px;" /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Located in the Cascade Range at 5,187 feet, this mountain observatory offers panoramic views across 65 square miles of black lava rock that looks so much like a moonscape that in 1964, NASA conducted drills with astronauts as they prepared to travel to the moon. Completed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the observatory was named in memory of Dee Wright, the crew’s foreman who passed away the year before.</p><p>On a clear day, you can view Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, the South, North, and Middle Sister, and even see Mt. Hood, 78.5 miles to the north. If the snow has melted, don’t forget to look for the glaciers! Collier glacier on the North Sister is the largest glacier in Oregon.</p><p>As you make your way up to the observatory, you will find interpretive panels with accounts of early travelers and area geology. Continue up the stairs to the roof and you will discover a bronze peak finder with the names and elevations of the surrounding buttes and mountain peaks. Inside the observatory, openings frame the surrounding mountain peaks.</p><p>The accessible <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recreation/recarea/?recid=4455">Lava River National Recreation Trail</a> located next to the observatory provides remarkable views of lava that flowed from the surrounding craters.</p><p>Check out the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/photogallery/willamette/specialplaces/?cid=4099">photo gallery</a> of scenes in and around Dee Wright. See it before you hike it! Use Travel Lane County’s Google-Trekked Trails to see Google's "trail view" of this trail. Click on the "trail details" for more information on the trail itself. <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@44.2605181,-121.7975631,3a,75y,46.67h,91.49t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suAmE0E_Dl7rQaoqRkFzsuA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656" target="_blank" title="Dee Wright Observatory Google Views">Dee Wright Observatory</a> / <em><a href="https://www.eugenecascadescoast.org/listing/dee-wright-observatory/2009/" target="_blank" title="Dee Wright Observatory Listing Details">trail details</a></em></p>
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, campgrounds, fishing spots, and other landmarks so a quick visit can grow into a full day.
Parks
- Wilderness Mount Washington
- Elliott Corbett Memorial State Recreation Site
- Wilderness Mount Jefferson
- Sisters State Park
- Preserve Indian Ford Meadow
- Preserve Camp Polk Meadow
Responsible visitation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site (BLM, NPS, state agency, or private owner) for access rules, permits, and seasonal closures before driving out.
- Stay on trail
- Many points of interest sit in fragile ecosystems. Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation and prevent erosion.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and give nesting birds and denning mammals plenty of space.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you. Remote sites often have no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, fossils, or artifacts. Federal law protects cultural and natural resources on public land.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Dee Wright Observatory as a favorite, set a weather threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Dee Wright Observatory
What is Dee Wright Observatory?
A point of interest in Oregon tracked by Snoflo -- typically a scenic landmark, named summit, monument, or viewpoint.
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no public feeds.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get there?
Tap Directions in the hero above for Google Maps driving directions, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the spot.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this POI, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other points of interest near here
Snoflo-tracked landmarks within driving distance of Dee Wright Observatory.