Hike: Tam McArthur Rim, Bend, OR

Getting There

After a leisurely drive from Portland to Bend the day before, I was itching to get out there! The weather was great and I wanted something new. I was planning a hike up Black Crater later in the week and I was still recovering from my MSH hike the week before and sore legs. 

The drive from Bend to Sisters wasn't too bad and the road was in pretty good shape once I turned off US-20. It was paved from most of it, then well-graded gravel to Big Three Creek Lake.

Bend > Sisters > quick stop at Ray's Food Place to get some Mate and sunscreen > Three Creek Road >  Big Three Creek Lake.

I found the trail and people were just parked on either side of the road. In fact, the side that had the No Parking signs had the most cars. Against my better judgement, I parked next to trailhead.

I was approached by a guy that seemed a little lost. He was asking about the trail (distance, hiking time). I showed him the map and gave my estimates. He didn't have much gear. He asked if he could join me but I hemmed and hawed and he got the idea. He thanked me for the info and started up the trail. I just didn't want to have awkward conversation with some random person with no gear, no research of the trail. Sorry bud. 

I finished getting my stuff together and then the guy returned. He gave up on the trail and said he was going to try something the other way, i.e. the lake. At least he had the wherewithal to know his limits. A small part of me considered giving a less prepared hiker the chance to hike somewhere cool without the other preparation. Maybe on another day, today I just wanted a little solitude, views, and warm up for a hike later in the week.  

The Hike

Length: 6.21mi

Elev. gain: 1,316ft

Moving time: 2h 40m

Avg. pace: 25:48

Calories: 1,414

Total time: 3h 27m

To be honest, I really didn't know that much about the trail. I didn't realize you could hike all the way up to No Name Lake. In hindsight, I wish I'd budgeted more time to do the full 10.6 mile/2059 ft trek but I was still trying to recoup and get ready.

I don't have any regrets because I did some great hikes and this was a perfect way to start my short trip. However, the weather may change so "carpe diem". Do the cool shit!

Anyway.... the hike climbs gradually and there are great views to the north and Big Three Creek Lake.

I could see the viewpoint where I was headed. It's great to see the destination and know that the trail winds around.

The awesome part of the rim hike is views of the surrounding forest are easy to find along the route.

Further along, the trail heads away from the rim and meanders through a sparse desert forest. No crazy elevation gain. And, I had the place to myself. 

I made it to the viewpoint. I could vaguely hear human voices but it was difficult to determine where it was coming from. This views were incredible. The vast views to the north and east and to the west, glimpses of Three Sisters and Broken Top (not these photos).

There are Middle and North Sister!

There is a Little Three Creek Lake, little sibling of Big Three Creek Lake. There was a couple sitting at the main viewpoint so I gave them ample space and found a spot to chill with just as spectacular views.

I went up the trail a bit more and saw Broken Top and a wooden sign "Trail Not Maintained". 

A great view of Mt Bachelor from the trail on my way down.

I had a great hike back to the trailhead. I captured a few more photos. I was on Cloud 9.

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.