September 20-22, 2019
44 miles
This route includes miles about 20 miles (miles 2000.9-2021.3) of the PCT starting from the south at the Santiam Pass Trailhead. There are two loops, one on top of the other. I stayed on the west side heading north on the PCT and then went to Marion Lake, Lake of the Woods and over to the PCT south of the Pamelia Lake limited entry area, then turned south and followed the PCT until I left it to go to Wasco Lake, Jack Lake, Booth Lake, and Square Lake. If I had a little more time and the weather was nicer, I would have explored the Canyon Creek area.
Starting in 2020, backpacking this hike will be limited by permit quotas and there will likely be a fee, even though I didn't experience overcrowding during my hike.
I started from the Santiam Pass Trailhead on Friday afternoon.
It was cloudy and cooler than the last time I hiked here earlier in the summer, when I went south from the same trailhead.
Looking south through burned forest with the major peaks in the clouds.
I entered the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.
I reached a trail junction and a pile of rocks.
Looking south I could see Big Lake.
There were some fall colors on the bushes beside the trail and the sun was shining.
Soon the clouds returned. I mostly had the trail to myself. I passed a couple hikers heading the other way.
I reached an expansive view to the east.
I entered forest that hadn't been burned.
Looking east to Black Butte
I could see the definite line where the fire had burned and a scenic lake below.
I came to what probably would be a great view, but there were clouds.
I passed a small pond and campsite.
It was a mystical feeling, walking through the fog.
I knew I was near Three Fingered Jack but I couldn't see it.
I startled some mountain goats right beside the trail. They were able to run quite fast.
The clouds began to clear and I could see a peak in front of me.
There was an expansive view with dramatic clouds looking the other direction.
I reached a pass near Three Fingered Jack with a view down to Canyon Creek Meadows. So beautiful!
It was windy at the pass but I found a small place to set up camp, hoping for a good view of Three Fingered Jack.
The clouds cleared and I was able to see its jagged summit.
Three Fingered Jack
It was quite windy but I was able to position my tent so it didn't blow down. There were a great view of the sunset.
In the morning I was able to see Three Fingered Jack better.
I was awake before sunrise to enjoy the view.
view west from my camp
Sunrise from pass by Three Fingered Jack
As I began hiking, Three Fingered Jack was covered in morning light.
There were many interesting colors in the mountain.
Three Fingered Jack
As I continued on the PCT, I found my first view of Mount Jefferson.
Mount Jefferson
I could see lakes down below.
I passed a pond with a couple others camped nearby.
Looking back to Three Fingered Jack
I reached a great viewpoint of Wasco Lake and Black Butte.
I left the PCT and joined the Minto Pass Trail, heading to Marion Lake.
This trail wasn't as well traveled as the PCT but had had some recent trail work.
There still were several blowdowns to navigate.
Fresh trail work on the Minto Pass Trail
I reached the forest by Marion Lake.
There were some fall colors.
Hiking through the forest here was special considering so much of the other forest around this area has burned.
There was a beautiful creek.
I wandered down to an unoccupied campsite by Marion Lake and took a break.
Marion Lake
Nearby there was a creek entering the lake.
I continued on the trail by the lake and found a view of Three Fingered Jack. There was a group camped nearby.
Marion Lake and Three Fingered Jack
I joined the Lake of the Woods Trail.
I could see Mount Jefferson through the trees.
I passed a trail to Swallow Lake.
Midget Lake and Mount Jefferson
Much of this area had burned but the trail was well maintained to Lake of the Woods.
Lake of the Woods and Mount Jefferson
After Lake of the Woods, I lost the trail but eventually I found it.
This section of the trail had many blowdowns.
I was excited to leave the burn area.
I came to the best view of Mount Jefferson that I had seen yet.
It had clouds moving below it and soon it was covered.
Papoose Lake
I came to a trail junction and turned toward the PCT to avoid entering the Pamelia Lake Limited Entry Area.
The trail climbed up.
There were some nice views.
Clouds obscured all but the summit of Mount Jefferson.
There were scenic lakes below in the Limited Entry Area.
Looking south through the trees, I could see the summit of North Sister.
Three Fingered Jack
There was a big mushroom beside the trail.
I could see a little more of Mount Jefferson.
I reached the PCT and turned south.
Mount Jefferson
I reached a dramatic view on the PCT, but Mount Jefferson was back in the clouds.
Looking east
I continued southbound on the PCT.
I came to more burned forest.
Three Fingered Jack
I found a great view of Broken Top and the Sisters.
Mount Jefferson
Broken Top and Sisters
I saw a lake below, possibly Carl Lake.
The clouds were completely gone around Mount Jefferson.
Mount Jefferson
The trail went by South Cinder Peak.
It was really flat beside the trail.
In some places the trail was right on a narrow ridge.
I made it to Rockpile Lake where I had anticipated camping, but there were several others camped nearby and more arriving. I decided to fill up my water and find a different place to camp.
Rockpile Lake
There were some great mountain views including Broken Top, the Sisters, and Mount Washington.
I decided to hike up off-trail and see if I could find a flat spot to camp.
I found a great spot just above the trees from where I could see Broken Top, the Sisters, Mount Washington, and Three Fingered Jack.
Three Fingered Jack
I could see Marion Lake down below where I had been earlier in the day.
I decided to walk along the ridge to the top of Rockpile Mountain. The views were impressive.
The sun was beginning to set over Marion Lake.
Mount Jefferson
Mount Jefferson from Rockpile Mountain summit
I could see down to Rockpile Lake.
Black Butte
Mount Jefferson
Broken Top, the Sisters, and Mount Washington
It was a nice sunset.
Clouds began to blow in.
Soon I could just barely see the mountains.
Just before I went to sleep, I was able to take a photo with the Milky Way over Broken Top, the Sisters, Mount Washington, and Three Fingered Jack.
In the morning the sky was purple.
Such a beautiful morning!
I was excited to see the sun light up the mountains!
The clouds made the scene quite special.
Three Fingered Jack
Broken Top and the Sisters
Black Butte
Marion Lake
I returned to the PCT and began hiking for the day.
It was a cloudy morning and the forecast was for rain.
I met a group of volunteers who were working on the Minto Pass Trail. Thanks for your work!
Wasco Lake
The forest in this area had burned earlier and there was some regrowth.
I reached the junction for Canyon Creek Meadows but decided to continue on the Old Summit Trail.
I briefly left the wilderness at Jack Lake.
Jack Lake
There was a trailhead and outhouse nearby.
I stayed on the Old Summit Trail toward Booth and Square Lakes.
It began to rain.
It was a little chilly hiking in the rain but still a pleasant hike.
Booth Lake
I stopped at Square Lake for a short break.
I left the wilderness.
The trail was parallel to the highway and I could hear cars below.
Soon I reached the PCT and I was back at the trailhead. Another adventure was complete.
Overall, this was a great section of the PCT and I really enjoyed having loop options that were a good distance for a weekend hike. This section had lots of awesome views and it was special to have the chance to see mountain goats. The two campsites I had were spectacular even though a little exposed. The burns do decrease some of the scenery, but I still found this to be an excellent section of the PCT.
