The Vista Butte Snowshoe Trail is cleared, signed, and ready for snow. With a break from the heat and smoke, CONC volunteers headed out Tuesday in a “Vista Butte or Bust” spirit to finish clearing the abundant blowdown, install trailhead signs, hang reassurance markers and trim for marker visibility. 

The trail departs from kiosk and begins its 700- foot climb to the summit. It is rated “Most Difficult” due to the elevation gain over its 1-mile length. Be aware that it has been implemented as a Class 2, winter-only trail. It is not cleared to ground and should only be used with a minimum of 12-24" of snow. The alternative, less strenuous route is to reach the summit in about 2 ½ miles via the Nordic trail (share the snow - please stay off the ski tracks).

Work on this trail began in January 2016 with an initial scouting; followed by refinement, submission to the Forest Service for approval, and this year, construction. 

Over these years, the following 24 volunteers contributed over 250 hours in scouting, marking, clearing, trimming, brushing, and sign & marker installation on just this trail. Funding for the markers and signs was provided by the Small Projects grant from Deschutes Trails Coalition.

Dennis Delapp	Dennis Damici	Chuck Delcambre	Larry Cohen
Jo Keen	Sue Sullivan	Christie Crowe	Kurt Keasey
Gary Evans	Kelly Eager	Jodie Heng	Larry Cohen
Bill Crane	John O'Donnell	Daniele Takla	Bill Crane
Ed Johnson	Charlie Kearns	David Anderson	Jim Arneson
Donna Barton	Bill Burwell	Bill Silliman	Bob TImmer

This project completes the implementation of 4 1/2 miles of new and re-routed snowshoe trails proposed by CONC in 2020 and approved by the Forest Service in October 2021.