PCT Bobby & Charlton Lakes

After Wednesday’s Salsa ride past Brownsville, Thursday’s day hike was part of the original backpacking plan: PCT from Bobby Lake to Charlton Lake and back with a short detour up the north Twin. With most of the PCT hikers at Cascade Locks for PCT days, the woods were fairly quiet – only 1 pair of PCTers with the rest being younger solo hikers. Bobby Lake is an easy TH to reach PCT north of Willamette Pass – <2 miles TH to PCT and Bobby Lake is just past the junction.

Oddly, but not surprising for OR weather, after Wednesday’s Red Flag Warning, it rained / misted on the drive to TH as I drove thru fog. There was NO rain on trail, however.

The Route

Started at 5:30 from Bobby Lake TH off Waldo Lake Rd with headlamp on; there were 3 other cars in the parking lot. About 3/4 to Bobby, I met a PCT hiker with red lamp headlamp heading to Waldo Lake for the day. After a short time at Bobby Lake for photos before sunrise, it was NOBO on PCT to Twins junction. Up the north Twin for more photos as the fog came and went. Back down same way to PCT and then fast to Charlton Lake for lunch. The return was PCT SOBO as fast as my legs would go.

Trail conditions were perfect. Not overly worn out by PCTers and not a blowdown I can remember that wasn’t a quick detour.

The Lakes

Getting to Bobby Lake before sunrise, the camera wasn’t quite sure how to photograph. There were at least 6 tents at the trail junction with the lake – at least half were locals, not PCTers.

It was around noon and lunch time when I landed at Charlton Lake. There were two PCTers getting water and taking a break along the shore. I didn’t see any tents, but didn’t go to the busy area near the Forest Svs road. Charlton is much larger than Bobby, with the Charlton Butte in background.

From the Twin

The fog was rolling in on my way up the Twin, and I wondered if I’d land above the fog… true enough, but the fog kept rolling in between the Twins and the Cascades came and went with the fog.

Three Sisters and Broken Top poked out over the fog, and looking south the weather displayed its layered complexity.

Friends along the way

I thought the woods a bit quiet. The birds were probably exhausted from the heat of last week … but I did meet some interesting friends.

Along the way to the Twins, I heard this VERY loud noise and couldn’t place it (location or source) … I seemed like it came from all around me. I went to the top, but on the way down, I found the source of the noise.

This family of marmots (Wikipedia) had made a home in a large rock outcropping. There were at least 4 little ones and the large one out on ‘watch’.

Earlier, I had the opportunity to chase a pair of Martens (Wikipedia) around a tree. I heard a noise in trees, and took a few steps to see it … I saw a mother and young marten so I went for the same direction, and sure enough – BAM! we met up coming around the tree … they scrambled off. I was lucky to see them less than 10 ft away 🙂

Regardless of the broken backpacking trip, the bike trip and this day PCT jaunt were just what the doctor ordered.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak mesh lowers #3
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo. 36
• Upper Layers: 1 (Patagonia Capilene)
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 05:30 – 14:30
• Carbon ratio: -1.0 hours (3 hours driving: 8 hours hiking); YTD = 136 hours banked
• Notes:
  • Photos: low
  • Speed: high
  • Difficulty: easy