The place where Oregon 126 and its predecessors cross the Cascades has changed over the years. Originally, the highway was routed over McKenzie Pass, a high mountainous route that frequently was closed in winter due to poor road conditions. In 1962, the Clear Lake Cutoff was constructed between Clear Lake and Belknap Springs, connecting the McKenzie Highway to the Santiam Highway (U.S. Route 20) to the north. U.S. 126 was re-routed over the cutoff and multiplexed with U.S. 20 east over the Cascades to Sisters, where it resumes its original course. The stretch of the McKenzie Highway between Belknap Springs and Sisters is now designated as Oregon Route 242. Route 242 is primarily a scenic route and is not plowed in wintertime.