Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon
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Canyon Creek Meadows Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon |
August 9, 2013
My sister Margaret currently is working at the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery near Sisters, Oregon. After yesterday's hike at Crater Lake, I drove up here to stay with her. It is raining hard this morning at 6:30; by nine o'clock, however, after breakfast and a tour of the hatchery that remains temporarily closed to the public because of a nearby forest fire, it is time to go hiking.
Margaret had arranged for a special dispensation from the local authorities, allowing my car access to the area despite the ongoing fire. Today's trailhead is about twelve miles away on back roads through the Deschutes National Forest. As helicopters fly overhead carrying huge bags of water from the Metolius River, we hit the trail.
Getting started
Jack Lake
In the skyline is our objective — a mountain named after a local trapper who, of course, had lost two fingers.
Three Finger Jack is partially enshrouded in smoke
This area was burned by a forest fire in 2003. Because of the substantial new growth, I find walking through the devastation much more pleasant than was anticipated. In fact, the abundance of flowers makes the overall scene strangely beautiful.
My first visit here
Eerie, but not unpleasant
Two views of a Fritillary
To the north is the area's dominant peak. From the south and east it is spectacular in appearance.
Mount Jefferson, 10495'
Bull Thistle
Arrowleaf Ragwort
Meadow Larkspur
Chicoryleaf Wirelettuce
The trail is well-maintained all the way to the meadow. At a junction, a signpost offers us a "TRAIL NOT MAINTAINED" option to the left. That's the one we want.
Starting up the unmaintained route
Subalpine Mariposa Lily
Goatsbeard
For an officially unmaintained trail, this one is in great
condition — at least so far.
The mountain is getting closer
Margaret is not in very good shape at the moment, having done no hiking in quite a while. I prod her not to give up early on this one, though; for I believe that the most scenic part of today's hike will be at the end of the trail.
The Western Toad has a distinctive white stripe
A worker at the fish hatchery told us about the coloration on this, his favorite mountain, and he was right.
Spectacular hues on the volcanic cliff
Emerging from the trees, the scenario is just as I
expected — a slip-and-slide
scramble up the scree to the top of a moraine.
A wonderful garden in the gravel
The top is right up there
As predicted, the destination was worth the effort. The beautiful unnamed cirque lake resembles a pistachio in shape, so that is what Margaret calls it.
'Pistachio Lake'
Hello. What's that on the far shore? It must be a 'lake
bagger' — someone who adds a lake to his list of conquests by
at least fully immersing himself. One of the other hikers says that
the man actually swam all the way across the frigid pool and back.
The water must be about 33 degrees. A snowbank is but a few yards away
Atop the cliff is a formation that I always have my eye peeled for:
'Three Finger Arch'
A storm cloud is overhead. Although we are prepared for rain, we certainly don't want it.
Ramparts galore
A bit of sunlight graces us with its presence, illuminating the lake. The turquoise color is caused by particles of silt suspended in the water.
This is why I go hiking
Mount Jefferson is 13 miles away
Back down through the meadows
This group is ignoring the
"CLOSED FOR RESTORATION" entreaties
Back at the junction, we opt to continue down the meadow on a new trail.
Canyon Creek
Moss galore
The burned area has a few more surprises for us:
Fallen trees atop the creek
The only waterfall on the trail
The ubiquitous Pearly Everlasting enhance the scene
Unusual tree trunks
Our loop ends near the trailhead. We have managed to avoid the impending storm.
End of a fine trek
§: Any visit to a cirque lake is worth doing.
Thirty-three years ago I lived within an hour's drive of this one,
but didn't know it was there. Margaret has resolved to hike twice
a week so as to be ready should I return.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude |  |
the route (clockwise)
