Lake Hopping & T-storm Dodging

Well folks, the original post for So Sister adventure was destroyed … and rather that try to recreate the same thing, I’ll do another one 🙂

For planning purposes leading up to this trip (July 28-31), weather reports from at least 5 services conflicted and contradicted each other; I’ve never seen such inconsistency in weather reporting in all my hiking plans. Bad weather was to be expected and a full ‘wet / cold weather’ gear kit put together for several days hiking So Sis and Broken Top.

Day 1 – July 28

Started at Devils Lake TH and then to Moraine Lake and through Greenlakes to No-Name Lake atop Broken Top. Thunderstorms started forming so rather than head further east (T-storm land), I decided to return to Greenlakes for the night.

The highlight was surely No-Name Lake atop Broken Top. There were out of towners there and many groups on the way – solitude is hard there. But, absolutely beautiful and a good walk over the snow to get there.

At Greenlakes, the T-storms rumbled in the east, the wind blew hard, but the rain didn’t come. Regardless, it was not a restful night sleeping with the wind.

Day 2 – July 29

Up early to go north to Golden Lake trail and then return via PCT to Reese Lake for the night. I contemplated going over the Camp Lake cut-over, but chose not to (proved to be the pragmatic path). Both So Sis and No Sis caught the sunrise.

Back around Moraine Lake under blue skies and then over the “wikiup plains” to Mesa Creek and Middle Sister appears just as I arrived at Reese Lake.

Arriving at Reese Lake around 1pm, the T-storms were building but still to the south. I quickly pitched tent and headed up to Chambers Lakes. At the ridge above Chambers, the snow down to the lakes was more challenging that I wanted to do with those storms coming.

The storm hit as I was coming down. I had to hide under a tree and my Gossamer umbrella as the rain and hail (1/4″) fell for 10 minutes. After it stopped, a quiet walk back to Reese Lake and Meadow where I was joined by a terrific father and sons team.

Day 3 – July 30

Early start going NOBO on PCT to Linton Meadows Tr. Last year’s burn did not reach the meadow! Thank goodness for small favors! Sunrise, however, was brilliant with a complex sky.

Headed SOBO on PCT back to Moraine Lake for the night, after stopping at Reese and thanking that group for their great company last night. Arriving at Moraine early pm, I quickly set up tent at favorite site #20, ate lunch, and decided to hoof up So Sis while the sun was shining.

I went up to 7500′ and turned around as the storm clouds were building. I remained at Moraine and just watched the storms roll off to the east or west, leaving me dry.

I talked to my partner at home and said: “if rain first thing, right home; if no rain first thing, then up So Sis” …

Day 4 – July 31

Thursday morning was grey and dark, but no rain. Another party with headlamps left around 4:45, and I was right behind them leaving Moraine to So Sis climbers trail.

So Sis climbers trail is in great condition – best I’ve seen. The rain, however, was surely coming eventually. The sky put on one heck of a show.

Even the skies to the east (Broken Top) were heavy and threatening.

I played leap-frog with a group of 6 young Bend folks who laughed and joked the whole time. I went up to 8600′ where the boulders start below the first lake – that section is not fun with a full pack, so I headed back down to Moraine (where I had left my sunglasses).

Lupin Paradise

Lupins are my wildflower indicator – if they are blooming top to bottom, then ‘perfect’ … well this week was beyond that! They also smelled like florist shops everytime I walked through a meadow. Butterflies liked the lupins too – they were everywhere!

Closing thoughts

3.5 days backpacking around So Sister and Broken Top hard to beat. The weather was challenging every day, but I never got wet and never put on a rain jacket. People I met were just amazing! Spending time more than 1 mile away from trailheads is definitely where the more interesting people hang out!

For example, 3 women and 4-5 girls of theirs out backpacking and camping for 7 days! I met them on their last day at Moraine and had an absolutely wonderful engagement with 1 mom and her daughter – they were amazing!

Data Geek Cellar

To preserve my sanity, I’m not recreating all this :). Basically, 75 miles and >11,000 of elevation gain on my feet. My camera took ~300 photos. My heart sang and my spirit soared with So Sis, and even the humans were fantastic … how could I ask for a better adventure?

Good enough!

If your heart’s set on seeing the actual tracks, go here https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/tracks