Around the West Side of 3-fingered Jack

Last week’ hike was around the east side of Jack on Old Summit trail to Canyon Creek Meadows. Yesterday’s hike went around the WEST side of Jack on PCT from Santiam Pass to Wasco Lake at Minto Pass. Between the two hikes I hiked completely around Jack both directions except the .9 mile between Wasco and Canyon Meadows Creek Trail.

The Route

Parked at Santiam Pass PCT TH and left at 6:00 with headlamp. NOBO on PCT to Minto Pass and down to Wasco Lake for lunch. Turned around and repeated the same arriving back at car around 3:00. Trail conditions were perfect. Human traffic was minimal and 1 stock party (2 horses) around Wasco.

Before sunrise

Driving up to Santiam Pass, a waning crescent moon started out yellow and then turned white as it lowered toward horizon. Photos from car were a bust, but once I started hiking … (apologies for grainy photos, but light & camera were stretched)

About this time, a coyote group started singing below me around the pass. I tried to record, but missed it. Magical chorus of 3-4 different animals.

As sunshine was just starting to show from below the ridge, I heard weird noises (like grunts) that I knew were NOT birds. After the coyotes, I was a curious for sure … the noises increased and a group of elk (6-10) ran across the hill ahead of me and over the ridge. It was dark enough and they were fast enough that the photos are blurred, but they were there! I have NEVER seen elk further south than Mt. Hood – a first!

By this time, enough light to look south over the cascade crest.

Swinging Around Jack

As the trail goes around Jack’s west scree field, a) I did not see any goats, and b) vistas showed the contrast between mountains and B&B Complex fire scar. However, on my return trip, other hikers claimed they saw goats ‘just around the corner’; I couldn’t them 🙂

One concerning element in the Mt. Jefferson photo is the lacking glaciers on the south side.

Like last week, the woods are coming back alive after 20 years from the B&B Complex fire. Birds and small mammals were plentiful. Deer tracks were everywhere. Even some wildflowers were hanging on

Jack’s Saddle

The climb to Jack’s Saddle is just longish, not steep, not difficult, just demanding. But once there, … look down to Canyon Creek Meadows (where I turned around last week) or up to big rock Jack is (and the way too little ice).

Leaving Jack’s Saddle going NOBO is the toughest part of this route – a section of scree switchbacks. This year, the trail was way better than last when too many people cut off the switchbacks (terrible trail etiquette)

The Lakes

The contrast between the lakes and B&B scar makes hiking Jack or Jefferson a gorgeous tragedy. Along the ridge south of Jack, the lakes to the east (Martin and Booth) show how the B&B fire burnt, and where it didn’t. That these lakes survived and remain … WOW!

Martin is the long lake and Booth the round one with Black Butte in the background.

Lunch at Wasco Lake was accentuated with a pair of Coopers Hawks playing over the ridge. Their pair flying was better than any acrobats I’ve seen. I was the only person at Wasco, so I hung out and ate lunch and filled up with water for the return.

Summary

Hiking 3-Fingered Jack is getting better every year, as the woods continue to recover from B&B fire. Animals are coming back, deer, elk and coyotes. The east side has lakes and Canyon Creek Meadows, and the west has other lakes (like Summit). The trails are in pristine condition and the vistas north and south awesome … time to go visit Jack!

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra WP boots – supination prevention test
• Pack: Yar Gear Ultra 38L Drifter
• Upper Layers: 2 – Short-sleeve baselayer, and Patagonia Capilene
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:00 – 3:00
• Carbon ratio: -2.4 hours (3.5 hours driving: 8 hours hiking); YTD = 144 hours banked
• Notes:
  • Photos: medium
  • Speed: fast
  • Difficulty: moderate – distance

All Trails has been updated with their new “Peak” service. I am testing it out in parallel with GaiaGPS. Here is the All Trails data