PCT: Bobby Lk SOBO + The Twins

With Hwy 242 closed from Foley Ridge Fire, and PCT SOBO from Willamette Pass impacted by Emigrant Fire, another PCT hike north of Willamette Pass checked the boxes: <1.5 hour drive; decent miles; a climb and vista; and a bonus, covering some OR PCT miles not yet walked.

This hike’s objectives: close the non-walked PCT south of Bobby Lake and get to top of both Twins. Highly recommended.

The Route

Left Bobby Lake TH (off Waldo Lake Rd) at 6:30 with headlamp. There was 1 RV at TH. Went straight to Bobby Lake, then SOBO on PCT to Maiden Peak Tr (closing a ‘unwalked’ PCT section); turned around went NOBO on PCT to Twins Tr junction and then up both; and finally back same way to car. At return, 2 other cars and no RV.

 

Trail conditions were nigh perfect!  For entire trip, 2 humans on my descent from Twins and 2 humans and their dog near TH on return.  Last month’s day hike from Bobby to Maiden found 6-10 tents at Bobby Lake, but today not 1.  The woods were quiet with fire smoke smell periodically.

I arrived at Bobby Lake just as sunrise topped the trees.

For my first time in OR, MTB tracks on the PCT.  Twins trail and the ‘PCT’ on-ramps are mostly ok for MTB, but not PCT. Signs are at almost every trail junction – no confusion, just a decision.

This section of PCT is mostly level and very fast; much of it looks like this

The Twins

The Twins are two cinder cones (imho) just like Maiden Peak; a walk up through trees to almost the top, then cinder gravel and rocks.

Waldo Lake and the Cedar Creek Fire

The west and north sides of Waldo Lake were greatly impacted by the Cedar Creek Fire in 2022. Waldo Lake once considered one of the most pristine lakes in USA is now big pool of water within a huge burn scar (73,000 acres burnt).

From The Twins, the view across the lake is tragic – just a gut punch. The campgrounds on the north end of Waldo remain closed due to unsafe conditions.

Willamette Pass Coverage

This year mostly due to Emigrant and Foley Ridge Fires, Willamette Pass and east of Waldo lake captured a good share of my footprints this summer.

I hiked 4 different hikes in this area recently: 2 from Willamette Pass and 2 from Bobby Lake TH. This area is highly under appreciated given the few ‘vistas’ – it’s mostly level walking through forest and lakes. With the right expectations this area is not to be missed – just the perfect west-slope cascade experience.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra WP boots
• Pack: Yar Gear Ultra 38L Drifter
• Upper Layers: 2 – Short-sleeve baselayer, and Patagonia Capilene
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:30 – 2:00
• Carbon ratio: -0.5 hours (2.5 hours driving: 7 hours hiking); YTD = 143 hours banked
• Notes:
  • Photos: few
  • Speed: fast
  • Difficulty: moderate – distance (took long break atop Twins)

All Trails data is again materially different

Discussion:

• Can’t believe there was 10 minutes delta between the two start / stops
• almost .4 miles different distance
• 300 ft elevation gain delta