Earlier, ODOT was pondering the costs of plowing through 30 ft. tall snowdrifts on McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway. Wednesday, they decided not to leave the job to Mother Nature and started breaking through all that snow and ice. It's beautiful, breathtaking, and unfortunately closed right now. “It really is a stunning place to go; You know, I’ve traveled a lot of roads around, and you know this one of the better ones. “ Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Peter Murphy says the popular scenic McKenzie Highway that winds thru the wilderness area from Sisters to the town of McKenzie Bridge is only open during the warmer months.

Right now, snow plows are trying to bust thru all that snow and ice, but its a slow slog ; “And then as the plow tries to get through it; it moves say, feet per minute, you know it’s not going very fast.” Murphy says they hope to get the scenic route open soon. Murphy says the costs of plowing the route are about $7500 a day. They hope it will be open by the end of the month.