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
Day 1: 10.4 miles to just below Scott’s Pass
Let’s see how long those smiles last!
The entire hike showed clear evidence of previous eruptions
The weather was not looking too good
View from camp, it rained all night
Day 2: 10 miles to an unnamed creek
This is totally different than other places we hiked, most of the trip is through lava fields
We had wind and rain all day but the group is still smiling
We talked to a few Pacific Crest Trail through hikes and they said this is the first rain in over a month, the Whytes strike again
I would like to go back, I think we missed some pretty good scenery due to the weather
Sun is coming out and we are almost to camp, smiles all around
Day 3: 9.7 miles to Mesa Creek
The rain brought lots of fresh snow to the Sisters
Except for this section most of the trail was wide open views
This tree is hanging on in the middle of an old lava flow
Crocs are very popular with backpackers
Day 4: 11 miles to camp site above Green Lakes
Heading into Green Lake
Lava on the left, creek in the middle and forest on the right
I imagine this made quit a noise when the top blew.
What’s on TV tonight?
Day 5: 10.4 miles back to the car, hot shower, nice dinner and then on to Mount Hood.
Mount Hood is in the distance and our next destination (via car)
MOUNT HOOD
Day 1: we started at Timberline Lodge and hiked to Sandy River
Mount Hood
Lots of erosion due to the glaciers
We 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 Glacier
Sandy Glacier
There was not much of a trail on the last section to the ridge
This meadow was a great place for lunch
Closer view of Sandy Glacier
Almost back to the good section of trail
Day 3: back to the cars
We stopped to see this waterfall and one of our group stumbled on a girl skinny dipping
I would not want to cross these creeks during spring melt
We took a short side trail to get a view of this waterfall, nice way to end the trip.
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE