Hike: Green Lakes via Fall Creek Trail, Bend, OR

Getting There

From Bend, take SW Century Drive to Mt Bachelor until it changes to and continue on Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway: it's about 25 miles out of town. Pull into the Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead parking lot. 

I had originally planned to climb Broken Top but realized when I arrived in Bend that winter had arrived early to Central Oregon. I got a clear view of Three Sisters and Broken Top when I was returning from my field trip to Lake County & Christmas Valley. I'd opted for a later start. I sat in the parking lot, leisurely getting my hiking gear sorted out and eating (most of) my breakfast burrito.

The Hike

Length: 10.58 mi
Elev. gain: 1,276 ft
Moving time: 4:08:49
Total time: 4:21:39
Avg pace: 23:31
Calories: 2,192

 

 

 

 

Since I knew I wasn't going to have to rush to reach the Broken Top summit, I adopted a more relaxed pace. The weather was amazing, not too cold, and clear skies for miles. I quickly caught up to a couple and said Good Morning.

I vaguely recognized the trail from my hike two year before, even though it was blanketed in snow. I had microspikes but felt comfortable without them. The first part of the goes by several waterfalls and is mostly under a canopy of trees.

While making my way to the section of trail that parallels the moraine at the south end of South Sister, I was getting showered by slush as the snow on the boughs high above melted. I tried to make it out of the trees without adding any more layers but a bit of snow that landed down the back of my shirt made me stop and don my jacket and hood. 

The sunshine is glorious. I see a few people and unnecessarily caution them about the melting snow in the trees. I know I'm close to the grand views of the mountain but can't see them from here. 

I finally reach the junction to the first campsite, #6. I take the site trail to the lake below Broken Top. So far, my snow hike is well-traveled and easy-going. I find quickly as I approach the shore, that the snow is softer and deeper than I was prepared for. I brought the wrong gaiters. I follow from footprints which soon become a single track of post holes. Even though my boots are waterproof and laced tightly, I can feel the coolness of snow reaching my socks. 

I had envisioned being able to at least go partly up the ridge, even if the summit was out of the question. Nope! The snow is much too deep and trail untraveled. Shucks! I wished I'd had the proper gear to go further: snow pants, snow boots, crampons, gaiters, and snow shoes!

I double-back to the main trail and continue toward the endpoint. I take a look back at my single track and Broken Top.

The view of South Sister is amazing. I think "I hope I can make it back here to climb this mountain". 

I start making my way back to the trail and take a few last views of this beautiful area and lament not being able to do the climb. Maybe next year. What if I camped here and did South Sister one day and Broken Top on another. Too ambitious? IDK.

On the way back I do put on my microspikes because the melted patches of snow had frozen in the shade. It wasn't a big deal on the way up but I appreciated the added confidence and traction on the way down.

I don't take many photos on the way back through the waterfall section. The light isn't optimal any more. I'm happy to just take my time. I think if I make it back to the trailhead, maybe I could ride the gondola to the top of Mt Bachelor, not realizing the ski resort is not open to the public yet. 

Hike: Green Lakes via Fall Creek Trail, Bend, OR

Broken Top, Green Lakes

Getting There

From Bend, take SW Century Drive to Mt Bachelor until it changes to and continue on Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway: it's about 25 miles out of town. Pull into the Green Lakes/Soda Creek Trailhead parking lot.

The Hike

Distance: 9.84 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,221 feet
Highest Elevation: 6,576 feet

For this hike, a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit is required for both day use and overnight stays from this trailhead between June 15 and October 15. 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=fseprd688355

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After my relatively short hike with little elevation gain along the Deschutes River the day before, I was craving something a little more challenging. Plus, I was eager to get a closer look at South Sister and Broken Top since I saw them upon arriving to Bend and they are visible from all over.

Just after leaving the parking lot, you cross a primitive log bridge. The Fall Creek Trail follows the creek and climbs steadily, with many opportunities to see the many waterfalls. Only in hindsight did I realize I'd seen Fall Creek Falls.

Fall Creek Falls

You cross a couple more bridges before getting to the west edge of the moraine. The trail sort of level off and you see the foliage along the river changes to deciduous trees and bushes in full fall colors.

I decided to take the side trail to Broken Top and veers away from and above Fall Creek.

Suddenly, Broken Top and the small lake beneath it come into view. Spectacular!

Broken Top

South Sister

Broken Top

There are several options of trails to get to the large Green Lake. South Sister towers above the valley. It's awe-inspiring to be saddled between these two mountains.

I continued on toward a spit of land with trees to get a look at the large lake. Another wow moment! There were several people already there enjoying the views and result of their hike. The water was all around with South Sister revealing more of her eastern flank.

While it certainly wasn't crowded, when more people arrived, I decided to find somewhere else to have lunch and frankly, it was a bit chilly in the shade with a moderate breeze. As I left, I found another place to photograph Broken Top.

South Sister

Broken Top

I retraced some of my steps and made my way back to the smaller lake and a trail marked Broken Top. There were a few marked campsites (#7, #8). I found a place to have my sandwich and soak in the views.

I wasn't going to make a summit attempt but I thought I could go for a little bit. I hesitated since I didn't have my Keen hiking boots. There was a trail going down the water on the south side. I found a tiny plastic duck. I returned to the detour. (It's a good thing it didn't go any further because that wasn't the summit trail, it just passes the mountain and continues south of Ball Butte.

I wanted down the shoreline on a narrow trail and noticed more horse hoof prints than footprints. I found a tiny plastic duck. I had to take a picture of the little guy before putting it in my pocket. Leave no trace!

I had a great descent back to the trailhead on the Fall Creek Trail. The light had changed from earlier so I didn't bother with any photos.