Started 2025 Outdoors on a High Note
13 January 2025
I kicked off the new year with a pre-dawn snowshoe hike up Tumalo Mountain. There’s something special about walking in the dark with just a headlamp and the promise of sunrise. I got to the trailhead near Mt. Bachelor at around 5:00 a.m. It was cold, maybe in the teens, and the forest was calm. My plan: climb 1,400 feet and catch the first sunrise of 2025.
Tumalo Mountain stands at around 7,800 feet in Central Oregon. It’s a popular spot for hiking and snowshoeing. It’s part of the Deschutes National Forest and sits close to Mt. Bachelor, which is a ski resort and a volcano at about 9,000 feet. Both are near Bend, Oregon, and offer panoramic views of the surrounding Cascade peaks. Tumalo Mountain is less crowded than Mt. Bachelor, but it still gives you a great workout and a clear sight of other mountains in the region. Mt. Bachelor is known for its winter sports, with extensive ski runs and lots of snow throughout the season.
It felt amazing hiking alone in the dark in the heavily snow covered trees in around 6-8 feet of snow. The slope felt steep, and I realized it had been a while since I did a big snow climb and the deep snow made progress a bit of a challenge especially in areas I had to break a new trail and not fall into a deep tree well in the process.
Layered Up: I wore moisture-wicking base layers, a warm mid-layer, and a shell. I packed extra gloves and socks as well as some hand wormers in the pack should I need them for my hands, toes, or drone batteries.
Checked My Gear: I made sure my snowshoes were good, had everything needed in my pack including hot tea, extra battery, drone, and that my headlamp worked well.
Kept a Steady Pace: I didn’t rush. I stopped briefly for water and to adjust layers. Each step felt like progress. Mentally I tell myself I'm falling uphill with gravity assisting and learn a little forward uphill – I do think this works and has for me at least for many years of climbing.
I reached the top just as dawn broke with orange, purple and dark blue ribbons in the sky. The light spread across the Central Oregon Cascades, and Mt. Bachelor glowed just across from me.
- Dress for the Weather: Proper layers make a big difference.
- Go at Your Own Pace: Each step matters, even if it’s slow.
- Nature Inspires: A sunrise in the mountains can shift your perspective.
It was a perfect start to 2025. There’s no better way to start the year than by immersing yourself in the beauty of the outdoors. I couldn’t have asked for a more invigorating way to kick off 2025. If you’re looking for a fresh perspective on the year ahead, I highly recommend a snowy sunrise hike no matter where you are. There’s magic in watching the world wake up all around you—and realizing, in that moment, that you, too, are ready for whatever lies ahead. What do you do to start of the new year?
Coho was more reflective in his start to the year.