End of Season Silence Above Waldo Lake

Late September weather was cool but sunny with no snow yet in Central Cascades passes. A perfect time to take the quickest route to the cascades spine for a long day hike. I hiked this same area 2x this year (smoke and 100k), so decent weather beyond the busy summer season was perfect to hike from Bobby Lake TH (Waldo Lake Rd) to The Twins and possibly Maiden Peak, pending time.

I had to leave pre-dawn (5:00am) to squeeze as much hiking as possible into autumn’s shorter day, leaving the TH around 6:45 before day’s light. As I headed up the Twins trail, sunrise hit the clouds above me.

As the sunshine hit the forest tops, the moon said ‘goodbye’

All the way to Twins summit, not 1 human being and few birds – a Canada Jay or two, Ravens and not much else. At the saddle between the Twins, the wind had to show off a little sending mist and fog from the west disappearing in the eastern desert air.

Down from Twins, on the way to Maiden Peak on the PCT 5 other humans were hiking NOBO – no thru hikers however – just sectional hikers and day hikers. Water in this section is mostly gone, but some ponds are holding on.

Tragically, once up on either Maiden Pk or The Twins the view down to the north end of Waldo Lake shows the extent and magnitude of the damage from the Cedar Creek fire in 2022. The ground to the north is still simply brown. That area remains closed.

Getting out on the central cascades’ spine during this late season’s dry & warm weather for a day hike is getting harder with the shorter days; even leaving pre-dawn, Willamette Pass is the shortest drive for long hiking on the spine. Starting at Bobby Lake TH opened up both The Twins and Maiden Peak. The woods were silent … hardly any birds at all. 1 deer, an elk bugling and running down the hill like a freight train (no sighting though). I found the quiet perfect to close out the season. Waldo Lake remains unique, even injured.

I hope the snows come early and stay long …

The Route

Started at Bobby Lake TH right off the Waldo Lake Rd around 6:45. On the way there, no cars anywhere on the road; but on the way home >10 at different trailheads. From Bobby Lake TH, I took Twins Tr across the PCT to Twins summit. Then back to PCT and SOBO to Maiden Peak Tr. I only went about half-way up Maiden Peak as I ran out of time.

Trail Conditions were perfect except one small section at the Maiden Pk / PCT junction where MBX braking dug deep gouges.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Timp 6 WP Boots – Currex Insole, T-Form insole pad
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Grit
• Upper Layers: Baselayer, + Patagonia Capilene + light fleece 1 hour
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:45-14:00
• Effort Scale: Today = 157; YTD Avg = 148; YTD Median = 169 (below average effort)
• Carbon ratio: -1.75 hours (3 hours driving: hours outdoors 7.25); YTD = 211 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 1074
• Notes:
  • Cold to start with wind on Twins summit; but else warm, no wind