Hiking Santiam Pass north-bound on the Pacific Crest Trail was one of the October Camp Sherman basecamp day hikes – the first in a 5 day sequence. Several hikes this year around 3-Finger Jack ran into rain and fog, so getting good weather for a fast nobo / sobo PCT was a gift. (Round Lake, Jack Lake). Several of these Camp Sherman hikes are like talking to old friends – just different season, experiences – all in the week of October 4, 2023.
The Route
Central Cascades Permit started at Santiam Pass (US 20) then went north on PCT past the Wasco Lake trail, and then return back to the car.
There were very few humans out. A couple went the opposite direction from trailhead doing the Old Summit Loop. Another was met under 3-Finger Jack where he pointed out a couple of goats way up on the hill – they were too far away to confirm. The PCT going down the hill toward the Wasco junction was a mess of blow-downs – surprisingly poor trail condition for late in season.
Sunrise
Sunrise found me with a couple of good views and especially the 3 Sisters with that new snow (it didn’t last long). Regardless of the destruction in forest fires, as the ecosystem recovers, beauty surfaces.
Season
One of the wonderful experiences from hiking ‘old friends’ at different times is seeing season highlights, and even in Oregon, Autumn can amaze the viewer.
Looking Out
Climbing up Jack’s shoulder on the PCT is one of my favorite walk-ups. The views north, south and down into the meadows are fantastic and give the viewer a grand view of B&B Complex fire damage 20 years ago – slowly recovering. Mt Jefferson stands to the north, and Washington to the south. Jack’s rock formations catch my eye every time. The meadow below the east side of Jack (top right photo) was the destination for Jack Lake hike.
