On one of the last summer weekends
(it's over already?) I planned a camping trip in central Oregon with Tom, Kyle, and my co-worker, Amber. We got an early start on Saturday, driving three hours to the Willamette National Forest via I-5 S to OR-22 E and OR-126 E--one of my favorite drives in Oregon.
The
Obsidian/Scott Trail loop hike covers 16+ miles over ~2,800' elevation change. The unique landscape in the Three Sisters Wilderness encompasses crystal clear streams and lakes, wildflower meadows, rugged mountains, young lava flows and obsidian cliffs. Leading in a counter-clockwise direction from the Obsidian Trailhead, the Obsidian Trail #3528 climbs through lodgepole pine and hemlock before passing through a lava flow with views of the Three Sisters. The path then crosses White Branch Creek and tracks uphill through alpine forests, meadows and Obsidian Falls.
Connecting to Glacier Way Trail #4336 provides a popular 12-mile loop for day-hiking or horseback riding. Tom and I continued on, however, picking up the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.
After passing Arrowhead Lakes, the route enters a steep lava canyon called Sawyer Bar. We circled around Collier Cone and climbed to Opie Dillock Pass.
The path levels out across several streams, including Minnie Scott Springs, eventually connecting to the Scott Trail. We were blessed with perfect weather--clear skies and pleasant (not scorching) temperatures. After spending my first summer in the Northwest, I have learned that July hiking is a tradeoff of wildflowers for mosquitos; we were mostly mosquito-free but missed the summer wildflowers.
After crossing a beautiful meadow, a worthwhile side trail leads to spectacular mountain vistas from the 4 in 1 Cones.
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| North and Middle Sister |
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| Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood |
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Date hiked: 8/24/19
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A final descent through quiet forest completes the loop. Currently, a limited entry quota is in effect to preserve the natural beauty of the Obsidian wilderness. Although doable as a day-hike, the group agreed to try for an overnight permit next summer; backpacking would allow time to explore more of the spur trails and fully connect with nature. 10am-5:45pm RT.
Back in the car, we continued on OR-242 E to
Creekside Campground in Sisters (40 minutes away). There we set up camp and celebrated our win at
Three Creeks Brewing Company. The epic day ended around the campfire--and under the brilliant night sky--with s'mores, guitar, and good company.
The next morning, our foursome drove an hour towards Bend via OR-22 E to US-97 S.
Broken Top is a 300,000 year-old highly eroded stratovolcano in the Three Sisters Wilderness. The busy 5.8-mile out-and-back (1,385' gain) shows off its colorful ramparts and a panorama of alpine scenery. Note: high clearance vehicle required for the final five miles of unpaved access roads leading to trailhead; alternate route from Todd Lake is 14 miles RT.
We off on Broken Top Trail #10, first entering a subalpine fir area.
After ascending a sandy slope, views in all directions opened up.
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| Broken Top, Broken Hand, Ball Butte |
We crossed alpine meadows and followed the creek up to a breach in the moraines.
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| Ball Butte, Mt. Bachelor |
We managed to clamber through the notch, which revealed a remarkable sight: Broken Top’s crags looming above the turquoise waters of No Name Lake. The murky lake is fed by melt from the remnants of Bend Glacier.
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Date hiked: 8/25/19
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Following the path along the east shore of the lake, we climbed to the ridge crest at 8,250' to enjoy expansive vistas of the Three Sisters and north up the Cascades. Much of the forest in view was scorched by the Pole Creek Fire of 2012. Below is the more substantial fragment of the Bend Glacier, with a few meltwater tarns glistening in the sun. 9:45am-12:30pm RT.
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| South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister |
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| Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens |
On our way back to Portland, we stopped for lunch in Bend at
Cascade Lakes Brewing Company (#29). From there, it was a 3.5-hour drive home via 97-N to 26-W, as we left the high desert behind and and began the cool descent into Mt. Hood National Forest. One of my favorite weekends to date!
