Posts with tag 'Central Oregon Hikes'

Fabulous Cascade Views Await Those Who Climb the Cones

We climbed Four in One Cone for the first time in the middle of October, 2021. A moderate in and out hike with just over 1400 feet of elevation gain in 9 miles from the Scott Trailhead in the Three Sisters Wilderness, we looked forward to revisiting the area during the summer.  The early spring snow we had in 2022 delayed access to the higher reaches of the Cascades with patches of snow evident above 6200 feet. But the trip up to the cones was fairly straight forward with little snow along the trail. Mosquitos were the worst thing we had to deal with - along with over 30 fallen trees to get around or over. But once we reached the lava flows, the mosquitos mostly disappeared and our hike to the top of the cones was great. The views of North and Middle Sister, along with Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, Black Crater and Belknap Crater are outstanding from the top of the cones.

Four in One Cone has this name due to the fact there are four distinct cinder cones adjacent to each other which all erupted at different times, but which create the unique geological feature it is.  The path at the top of the first cone traverses all the cones at the ridge line; it is roughly .4 miles to reach the end of the fourth cone and the drop off on each side of the path varies in steepness.  When we first hiked to the top of the cones in October, the wind made us a little uncertain and we did not reach the far cone. This summer hike had much less wind and we made it to the furthest point. 

After enjoying the views, we climbed back down the cones and decided to continue the hike to the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail, which was another mile past the cones. There is a large meadow at this junction and we were hoping to see wildflowers along with the view of North Sister. The wildflowers were sparse, but the view of North Sister was spectacular. 

Our return trip was much easier than the hike up due to the volunteer efforts of six amazing people who were clearing all the fallen trees from the path. These six plus one more hiking party of three, and one person we saw hiking the PCT were the only people we saw during the entire hike. Amazing solitude and a wonderful day.

Black Crater is a Challenging Hike

We have hiked Black Crater yearly since 2020 and although not the longest hike, it is challenging. The full hike is 7.5 miles up and back, but each hiker gains 2322 feet in the 3.75 miles up. And hiking through the burned forest from the 2017 Millie Fire can be hot and dusty during summer months.  On July 15, 2022 sufficient snow had melted from the higher elevations to allow hikers to avoid slippery snow patches and reach the summit. When we arrived, we were alone at the top until we began our trip down. The Cascade views from the summit of Black Crater were fabulous from Broken Top to Mt. Hood. And the cold wind we have felt in earlier visits was not blowing, keeping us comfortable and able to fully enjoy the views.

It is interesting to see how certain plants have begun to reclaim the burned forest, with manzanita, fescue grass, and various wildflowers becoming more abundant each year. Young trees are beginning to grow, although it will take many decades for them to reach the heights of the trees that were killed in the fire. Ferns have regrown in some more sheltered and wetter areas of the hike; there is a certain beauty in the burned, dead trees, especially as we begin to see green undergrowth reclaiming the land.

We recommend that people planning on hiking Black Crater start early in the day before it gets warm and before crowds arrive.  Allow 4.5 hours on your trip, which will provide time at the top to enjoy a snack and the views prior to returning to your car. Use your national forest parking pass and don't forget to complete and file the the free wilderness pass available at the trailhead.

Iron Mountain is a Yearly Favorite for Wildflowers

We try to hike the Cone Mountain Loop including Iron Mountain on a yearly basis, timing our hike to summer when the wildflowers are blooming. Located in the Willamette National Forest 20 miles east of Sweet Home on Hwy 20, this hike can be done multiple ways, but we opt for the longest route, parking at the Tombstone Summit parking lot (be sure to bring your National Forest Pass) and walking through the nearby nature trail and across the highway to the Cone Peak Trail. This trail switchbacks up the hillside in beautiful forest over several miles before it opens at the meadow at the base of Cone Peak which is filled with wildflowers (experts say there are over 300 varieties of blooming plants in the area). Continuing along the trail, hikers eventually leave the meadow and hike down the shoulder of the hill to the shoulder of Iron Mountain, where the trail continues up to the junction of the spur to take hikers to the top of Iron Mountain. This trail is somewhat steep with over 650 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile, but the views are fabulous and the wildflowers on the mountain stunning. At the top of the mountain is a nice, railed deck complete with mountain markers and benches for people to rest and enjoy a snack or lunch before returning down to rejoin the Cone Peak Trail to complete the loop back down across the highway and back to the Tombstone Parking lot via the Old Santiam Wagon Road. All in all, the hike is between 6.5 and 7 miles with just under 1900 feet elevation gain. 

Great Central Oregon Hike in the Cascades

The late spring snow experienced in Central Oregon in 2022 resulted in a delayed opening of the trails in the higher elevations of the national forests and wilderness areas.  But in early July, warmer temperatures have melted some of the snow and enabled hikers to access some of the lower trails. Last Saturday we hiked from Santiam Summit to Square and Round Lakes, a hike we had never done before in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.  During this moderate 10.51 mile in and out hike we experienced 1056 feet of elevation gain - mostly easy downs to the lakes and ups out of the lake basins. The beargrass was blooming and among the most beautiful we have ever seen.  The results of the 2003 90,000 acre B & B Complex fire were evident, but the blooming manzanita, lupines, and young trees were growing and reclaiming the burned land. The views of Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington and the Three Sisters were stunning. 

When we reached Round Lake, we saw people enjoying the lake, either camping on the far shore or staying in the buildings connected with Wilderness Lakes Retreat (there is a dirt road that accesses Round Lake via Jack Lake Road). We even met and spoke with a wedding party who were planning on celebrating their event that evening. People were fly fishing, kayaking, rowing, or just floating on the calm lake. We enjoyed our lunch on the far side of the lake while we watched a bald eagle attempting to catch a fish before returning the way we came, getting back to our car before the thunderstorms began at 2 pm.  

If you plan on hiking this trail, be sure to take a lot of water and wear a hat as the hike is exposed. We saw just a few people - a handful camping at Square Lake and more enjoying Round Lake, either camping or staying at the Wilderness Lakes Retreat. 

For more information on Central Oregon hikes, check out our blog.

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