Late Summer Adventures Part 3 – Three Sisters, Oregon (18-40)

Rest Day 9-14-2018 Whychus River Overlook

I slowly walked the easy one mile loop (#51) and contemplated distant views of mountains and close up views of the high desert forest. My legs were not up for much more today. Dan hiked down to the river and wandered there for a bit.

Nearly flat trail through the Ponderosa forest

Looking down to Whychus Creek

Middle and North Sisters

Mt Washington, Pole Creek Fire forest

Rabbit brush

Manzanita

Manzanita bark

Manzanita leaves

“Little apples”

Ponderosa

Sage

Sky

Whychus Creek recovery team logo

Back in town I visited The Stitchin’ Post, a wonderful quilt store.

Window display

I bought a small package of Australian-themed fabric.

On a related note, we enjoyed having a Double Wedding Ring quilt on the bed in our lodge room.

Tam McArthur Rim 9-15-2018 (#52)

This trail provides another entrance point to the Three Sisters Wilderness, from the east toward Tam McArthur Rim along a ridge that leads toward Broken Top. We had hiked this trail in September two years ago on a clear day. Today we watched clouds cover the peaks, lifting occasionally for views. By the time we reached the top, a bitter wind was beginning to blow and the cloud cover was increasing. We didn’t stay long.

Tam McArthur Rim and Three Creek Lake as seen from the trail

Broken Top appears as we cross the upper plain

Almost to the top, with Little Three Creek Lake below

Middle and North Sisters from the End of Trail overlook

Broken Top and South Sister from the overlook

Closer view of the glaciers on Middle and North Sister

All three Sisters, with clouds

North view beyond Tam McArthur overlook. Pole Creek fire burn zone in the foreground; Black Butte beyond.

Late blooming lupine

Neon lichen

Lookback to our hike in September of 2016 to compare the views:

Middle and North Sisters, September 2018

In September 2016, on a clear day

We hiked about 5.5 miles/ 1200 feet today.

Back to Dee Wright/Mckenzie Pass at sunset

We took our last opportunity this year to spend a little time at the lava lands of Mckenzie Pass – and one of my favorite places in the world. Despite the cold wind we wanted to see the sunset. The Sisters were still covered in clouds, but as the lowering sun streamed in from under the western clouds, Black Crater lit up a bright, ethereal red orange that seemed magical. To the west, the streaky clouds glowed pink and gold.