Around the East Side of 3-fingered Jack

Fires and smoke made finding a good hike difficult, but with an overnight permit for Santiam Pass (PCT), I had options. Deciding last minute to take the east side of 3-Fingered Jack on Old Summit trail I set the objective of reaching Canyon Creek Meadows above Jack Lake. Some of this route, I had done with my sister, but this completes the track Santiam Pass to Canyon Creek Meadows. This was also the first time without snow, rain or fog on Canyon Creek Meadows.

With a long hike planned, I left early and arrived at the TH just before 6:00 and was hiking shortly after with headlamp on. There were about 6 cars when I got there; when I returned at 3pm, the lot was full on both sides. On the way to Santiam Pass, the fog left rain drops on my windshield, but at TH the moon and stars appeared …

The Route

Santiam Pass PCT junction to Old Summit Trail. Summit to Jack Lake and then up Canyon Creek Meadows Trail (which is a one-way loop). Then, back the same route. The entire way from Santiam Pass to Jack Lake and back – 0 humans. The only humans were on Canyon Creek Meadows Canyon trail.

Square Lake is the largest lake and decent drinking water about 1 hour from PCT. Several small ponds are between there and Jack Lake – Jack was very low and seemed unsuitable to drink unless desperate. Canyon Creek was still flowing and great water.

Square Lake early

Shortly after Square Lake a resident came to say hello … deer tracks big and small were plentiful, more than I’ve ever seen on Jack. Coyote, fox and other smaller mammal tracks were also plentiful – again, more than I’ve seen in past on this mountain.

The entire trip from Santiam Pass to Jack Lake is through an old burn scar – B&B Complex Fire in 2003 (20+ years ago) – 20 years of recovery in the photos.

At the end of the canyon on the moraine ridge, a party was ahead of me and yelled multiple time about 4 goats. Another party rushed up the ridge to see the goats (moraine ridge in right photo below) … I decided that the goats probably had enough humans, so I headed opposite direction back down the hill.

Trail conditions were perfect – just a bit wet early. Not too dusty, not hard, no blowdowns and somebody had cleared out manzanita from the trail around Jack Lake. The trail was fast.

Views of Jack

These photos are from south / south east. Reminder that the fire was 2003 and the vegetation is just as you see it over 20+ years later.

Fire Rise

Sunrise was quite a show as I rounded the corner at Square Lake and headed more north on Old Summit.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra WP Low uppers – wet grass, ash
• Pack: Yar Gear Ultra 38L Drifter
• Upper Layers: 2 (Tech base layer, Patagonia Capilene)
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:00 – 15:00
• Carbon ratio: -2.2 hours (3.5 hours driving: 8.25 hours hiking); YTD = 141 hours banked
• Notes:
  • Photos: medium
  • Speed: fast
  • Difficulty: moderate – distance