We headed to Oregon for another “out west” backpacking trip and decided to complete 2 shorter trips. First up was a 50 mile, 5 day loop around the North, Middle, and South Sister volcanoes. Then we headed to Mount Hood for a 34 mile 3 day trip.
Three Sisters Loop
The “LOOP”Day 1: 10.4 miles from trailhead to just below Scott’s PassLet’s see how long those smiles last!The entire hike showed clear evidence of previous eruptionsThe weather was not looking too goodView from camp, it rained all nightDay 2: 10 miles to an unnamed creekThis is totally different than other places we hiked before, most of the trip is through lava fieldsWe had wind and rain all day but the group is still smilingWe talked to a few Pacific Crest Trail through hikes and they said this the first rain in over a month, the Whytes strike againI would like to go back, I think we missed some pretty good scenery due to the weatherSun is coming out and we are almost to camp, smiles all aroundDay 3″ 9.7 miles to Mesa CreekThe rain brought lots of fresh snow to the SistersExcept for this section most of the trail was wide open viewsThis tree is hanging on in the middle of an old lava flowCrocs are very popular with backpackersDay 4: 11 miles to camp site above Green LakesHeading into Green LakeLava on the left, creek in the middle and forest on the rightI imagine this made quit a noise when the top blew offWhat’s on TV tonight?Day 5: 10.4 miles back to the car, hot shower, nice dinner and then on to Mount HoodMount Hood is in the distance and our next destination (via car)
MOUNT HOOD
Day 1: we started at Timberline Lodge and hiked to Sandy RiverMount HoodLots of erosion due to the glaciersWe talked to some trough hikers on day 3 of the Three Sisters Loop. They did a double take when they passed us on Mt Hood and we were ahead of them and already in camp.We did a day hike to Yokum Ridge with nice views of Sandy GlacierSandy GlacierThere was not much of a trail on the last section to the ridgeThis meadow was a great place for lunchSandy GlacierAlmost back to the good section of trailDay 3: back to the carsWe stopped to see this waterfall and one of our group stumbled on a girl skinny dippingI would not want to cross these creeks during spring meltWe took a short side trail to get a view of this waterfall, nice way to end the trip.
