ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

McKenzie Pass

McKenzie Pass is a special place in the state of Oregon, where there are lots of beautiful things to see and do. It is a big mountain that you can visit with your family.

When you go to McKenzie Pass, you might see a road that winds up and down the mountain. This road is called Highway 242, and it is closed during the winter because there is too much snow. But in the summertime, the road opens up for people to drive on and explore.

As you drive along the road, you will notice that there are lots of trees all around you. These trees are called evergreen trees because they stay green all year long. You might see tall Douglas fir trees with their pointy branches or beautiful western hemlock trees with their soft, droopy branches. These trees are really important because they provide homes for birds and animals.

If you look closely, you might see some strange-looking rocks on the side of the road. These rocks are called lava rocks because they were formed by molten lava from a big volcano many years ago. The volcano isn't active anymore, so you don't have to worry about it erupting. But it's so cool to see the rocks and imagine what the volcano looked like a long, long time ago.

As you continue driving, you might see a big round hole in the ground. This hole is called a volcanic crater and it was formed when the volcano blew its top off. Inside the crater, there might be a beautiful lake called Dee Wright Observatory where you can see amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

There are also lots of flowers that bloom in the summer, like colorful wildflowers and bright red Indian paintbrushes. These flowers make the mountain look like a big, beautiful garden.

McKenzie Pass is also a great place to go hiking. There are many trails that you can walk on and explore the nature around you. As you hike, you might see squirrels scurrying around, birds chirping in the trees, or even an occasional deer or elk.

So, McKenzie Pass is a really special place in Oregon where you can drive on a winding road, see tall evergreen trees, explore ancient lava rocks and volcanic craters, marvel at beautiful lakes and flowers, and even go hiking. It's a place where you can have lots of fun adventures and make special memories with your family.