THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Throttle up at Ten Mile Sno-Park and ride through volcanic landscapes—Paulina Lake, Paulina Falls, Big Obsidian Flow and, weather permitting, the summit of Paulina Peak—on a guided 4-hour snowmobile tour through Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Throttle up at Ten Mile Sno-Park and ride through volcanic landscapes—Paulina Lake, Paulina Falls, Big Obsidian Flow and, weather permitting, the summit of Paulina Peak—on a guided 4-hour snowmobile tour through Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
You push open the yurt flap at Ten Mile Sno-Park and the cold hits like a clean slate. Breath fogs, gloves clap on, and guides check helmets and goggles with the efficiency of people who read weather models for fun. Within minutes the engines cough to life and the sleds file onto trails that climb away from the pines, trading tree trunks for black glass: the jagged edge of the Big Obsidian Lava Flow ahead glints under a low winter sun.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Octane Adventures · Bend, Oregon
You push open the yurt flap at Ten Mile Sno-Park and the cold hits like a clean slate. Breath fogs, gloves clap on, and guides check helmets and goggles with the efficiency of people who read weather models for fun. Within minutes the engines cough to life and the sleds file onto trails that climb away from the pines, trading tree trunks for black glass: the jagged edge of the Big Obsidian Lava Flow ahead glints under a low winter sun.
This four-hour tour threads through the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, a landscape shaped by eruptions and ice. Newberry is a massive shield volcano with a caldera carved from repeated activity—geology here is honest and visible: Paulina Lake sits in one basin, Paulina Falls throws itself through lava cuts, and Paulina Peak (7,989 ft) offers a weather-dependent vantage over the whole monument. The Big Obsidian Flow is young by geological standards—roughly a thousand years old—its broken glass a reminder that the ground here still remembers fire.
Culturally, these slopes were part of seasonal rounds for Klamath and other plateau tribes who moved through the area hunting and gathering, reading the land the way you read a map. Today, guides interpret volcanic features and local ecology as they take you across groomed lanes and open tundra, balancing speed with the kind of stops that let you hear a waterfall under snow or find the copper flash of a gray jay.
Practicalities: expect 4 hours from meet to return; the route covers variable terrain—groomed sno-trails, packed powder, and patches of lava fields where the ride is slower and technical. Weather and visibility determine whether you crest Paulina Peak; guides aim for safety first. Tours are appropriate for beginners through experienced riders; guides offer instruction and split groups by comfort and skill.
Packing and preparedness matter in cold, high-elevation environments. Layer for warmth and wind: a breathable base, insulated midlayer, and a waterproof outer shell. Protect extremities—you’ll feel the cold in fingers and toes first. Bring a fully charged phone in an inner pocket (batteries die in cold), sunglasses for rides out of goggle mode, small snacks, and hydration—insulated bottles work best. If altitude gives you headaches, take it easy before the trip and hydrate the morning of.
On clear days the summit views repay every throttle twist: a panorama across the Cascades and a sharp look down into the caldera. But the trip is more than views; it’s a lesson in how ice, fire, and time make terrain that still dares you to explore it on a machine built for winter. Come ready to ride, listen, and leave your footprints—er, tracks—on some of Central Oregon’s most dynamic ground.
No—guides provide basic instruction and route groups are split by skill, so beginners can join on guided rides.
Wear layered, insulated, and windproof clothing plus warm boots; goggles and helmet are provided by the operator.
Summit access is weather-dependent; guides assess snow, wind, and visibility and may adjust the route for safety.
Booking may collect age and other details; many operators allow riders 16+ for single riding with parental consent and carry limits for passenger weight—confirm during booking.
Temperatures can be well below freezing—dress appropriately; guides monitor guests and stop for warming if needed to reduce hypothermia risk.
This tour meets at Ten Mile Sno-Park; travelers must arrange their own transport to the meet point (shuttle options are limited).
Octane Adventures operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You push open the yurt flap at Ten Mile Sno-Park and the cold hits like a clean slate. Breath fogs, gloves clap on, and guides check helmets and goggles with the efficiency of people who read weather models for fun. Within minutes the engines cough to life and the sleds file onto trails that climb away from the pines, trading tree trunks for black glass: the jagged edge of the Big Obsidian Lava Flow ahead glints under a low winter sun.
You push open the yurt flap at Ten Mile Sno-Park and the cold hits like a clean slate. Breath fogs, gloves clap on, and guides check helmets and goggles with the efficiency of people who read weather models for fun. Within minutes the engines cough to life and the sleds file onto trails that climb away from the pines, trading tree trunks for black glass: the jagged edge of the Big Obsidian Lava Flow ahead glints under a low winter sun.
This four-hour tour threads through the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, a landscape shaped by eruptions and ice. Newberry is a massive shield volcano with a caldera carved from repeated activity—geology here is honest and visible: Paulina Lake sits in one basin, Paulina Falls throws itself through lava cuts, and Paulina Peak (7,989 ft) offers a weather-dependent vantage over the whole monument. The Big Obsidian Flow is young by geological standards—roughly a thousand years old—its broken glass a reminder that the ground here still remembers fire.
Culturally, these slopes were part of seasonal rounds for Klamath and other plateau tribes who moved through the area hunting and gathering, reading the land the way you read a map. Today, guides interpret volcanic features and local ecology as they take you across groomed lanes and open tundra, balancing speed with the kind of stops that let you hear a waterfall under snow or find the copper flash of a gray jay.
Practicalities: expect 4 hours from meet to return; the route covers variable terrain—groomed sno-trails, packed powder, and patches of lava fields where the ride is slower and technical. Weather and visibility determine whether you crest Paulina Peak; guides aim for safety first. Tours are appropriate for beginners through experienced riders; guides offer instruction and split groups by comfort and skill.
Packing and preparedness matter in cold, high-elevation environments. Layer for warmth and wind: a breathable base, insulated midlayer, and a waterproof outer shell. Protect extremities—you’ll feel the cold in fingers and toes first. Bring a fully charged phone in an inner pocket (batteries die in cold), sunglasses for rides out of goggle mode, small snacks, and hydration—insulated bottles work best. If altitude gives you headaches, take it easy before the trip and hydrate the morning of.
On clear days the summit views repay every throttle twist: a panorama across the Cascades and a sharp look down into the caldera. But the trip is more than views; it’s a lesson in how ice, fire, and time make terrain that still dares you to explore it on a machine built for winter. Come ready to ride, listen, and leave your footprints—er, tracks—on some of Central Oregon’s most dynamic ground.