A pair of rare spring-like days in the middle of February. I planned to drive all the way to Sisters for a cheeseburger and stare at the mountains, but half way there the lure of the trail got me. I pulled off at the Trail Bridge Reservoir, turned up Forest Service Rd 655, and caught the McKenzie River Trail for a short jaunt to Tamolitch Pool.
When I set out, my car was the only one at the trailhead. I met three guys at the pool who were hiking through to Clear Lake for an overnighter, and then a few more folks on the way back out. Never did see the creator of the bear prints.
Talented, original, pretty. The music and the musician both. One of my favorite artist’s, here are some examples of her work.
Let Go
Probably her most famous song, created when she was Frou Frou (teamed with producer Guy Sigsworth), it gained wide airplay as part of the Garden State soundtrack.
I take Connie on a tour of some of my favorite spots: the Dee Wright Volcano Observatory at McKenzie Pass; the short but spectacular hike to Hand Lake; and a short jaunt to Proxy Falls.
Start at Scott Lake Trailhead, Hwy 242. 9 miles round trip, Moderate per WS. Actual: looks like I made it 4 miles up (8 miles rt), past 2nd lava flow/past forest “island”. Took 3 hrs, reached view of North Sister, and my previously established turn-around time. Took 1:15 to return. Very busy trail, didn’t meet anyone until top, but the trail is a rut most of its length.
From guidebook: As the name implies, Four-in-One Cone is actually four distinct craters that belched lava from 2,500 to 3,000 years ago — a blink of the eye in geologic time. You can scramble north across the lip of these craters for breathtaking views of the Three Sisters to the southeast.
Big Trees Snapped at top of Ridge
Ready to enter the lava field just below the 4 cones.
Actually, this was supposed to have been a hike to the Four-In-One Cones, but I’m so exhausted, after changing into my boots, I have barely enough energy to hike across the parking area. No way I’m hiking 4.5 miles up the mountain, much less make it back down.
I have enough energy to pull out the William Sullivan book and find another hike. Lucky enough, a couple miles down the road is trailhead for Hand Lake. I have barely enough energy to hike the mile up and over the ridge to the lake. I explore the lake/meadow/lava flow, take an hour break by the lake (admiring Three Sisters) and trudge back.
Success! I make it to the top. Well, almost to the top. My fear of heights takes over, I make it to the peak, and about 100yds past the treeline freak out and sit down next to the trail. I can’t go any higher, can’t look out at the view. I snap a couple photos without seeing where the camera is pointed, hoping I capture the view for safe viewing on my computer screen at home later. Later on Google Earth it looks like I made it to the rim of the crater.
Date is uncertain. Above Waldo Lake, off Hwy 58. [details of hike length, difficulty] The parking area at trailhead is full (6-7 cars). The mosquitoes are thick clouds, plus I got a late start. I make it roughly half way up, get disgusted with the skeeters, and call it a day.
A short, round-trip day hike in the 37,162-acre Waldo Lake Wilderness. Hike through dense Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and mountain hemlock, watching for maiden hair ferns, which border some of the streams. Cross several small streams before reaching Lillian Falls, a beautiful cascading waterfall located on Nettie Creek. Special attractions: Mature forest; 100-foot waterfall.
Clear Lake, the “lake born of fire”, is the headwaters of the McKenzie River and was formed 3000 years ago when lava from Sand Mountain reached the river and backed up water to form the lake.
The original forest that had lined the river banks was submerged. Remnants of some of these submerged trees still stand under 120 feet of water and are visible from the trail and by boat. The nearly freezing temperature of the lake makes it unsuitable for swimming.
The Fall Creek Trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail. As a Hiker Only route, it follows Fall Creek for most of the route, allowing the hiker to enjoy the cool valley air and observing the mix of riparian (streamside) vegetation.
I started at the Dolly Varden campground, and hiked upstream until the trail crossed the road. I followed the road all the way back to the car.
