This would be my fifth or sixth time up Mount Bachelor (I've lost count) but my first time since the resort relocated the trailhead to the Mountain Gateway (away from the Sunrise area). Met up with a friend at the parking lot at 7am, and headed up.

Bachelor has placed much-needed signs to help direct hikers past all the zip-line and mountain biking “stuff” towards the actual trail. The first 1/2 mile or so is on a dirt service road. The trail peels off to the right. We almost missed the sign. The trail continues gently climbing but mostly going around the mountain until it meets up with the “old” trail and starts climbing in earnest.

Saw about 10 other people on the trail this morning, a combination of trail runners and hikers, and got a very light sprinkling of rain on the way down.

The new route is about 1.5 miles longer than the old one, but has some advantages: plenty of free parking, plus the option to eat lunch at the restaurant (didn't do that, but we could've).

All told, we hiked 7.95 miles and climbed 2,831 vertical feet.

Next up, a Black Crater redux, then Diamond Peak and finishing with South Sister (probably after the permit season).