Broken Top and the Unnamed Pool

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This last weekend we decided to hike up broken top, starting at Todd Lake. The first few miles are nice and easy - not too much elevation gain, and nice scenery. The "hardest" part is crossing some of the streams without getting wet!
One we got to the Broken Top trail (3.5 miles in), the shade was essentially gone, but the wildflowers were starting to bloom! Some of the hike was really pretty, but to be honest parts were very bare and boring (no real views, flowers). There weren't many people on the trail to begin with, but everyone we saw turned around before getting to what I considered the destination...I started wondering if it was even worth going up further.
Right when I started thinking that, we came across a relatively small, but powerful, waterfall!

Wanting to know its source, we climbed up the side of the waterfall (a bit harder than it looks) and found this beautiful lake/pool (It's bigger than the photo makes it look. For an idea of its size - this is 6 photos stitched together)!

This alone would have made the hike worthwhile. The water, reflection, and rock colors are just stunning, but just a short (very steep) hike up the side revealed a gorgeous view of the 3 Sisters Mountains! Maybe I'm strange, but I just can't get enough of those mountains.

South Sister Summit Hike

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Some people said it was too early in the year to hike South Sister, that there was too much snow to make it safely to the top. Well, I have one thing to say to those people: You're wrong!
Early Sunday morning we left Bend and drove to the Devil's Lake Trailhead. From there, it was 6.25 miles to the summit of South Sister (Oregon's 3rd highest peak). Was there snow? Heck yes. There was a lot of snow, but given the choice of snow or the cinder and scree that lies beneath, I would choose snow every time!
The view of Middle and North Sister with a little snow cover really can't be beat! It's a tough hike towards the top (right around Lewis Glacier), but just put one foot in front of the other and keep going - it's worth it!

Lewis Glacier Melt Pot/pool, near the top of South Sister. It's bigger than it looks!

For any hikers out there who want to hike to South Sister's summit in late June or early July: we didn't really need any special gear. Hiking boots and gaiters would be nice, but they're not necessary (we hiked with running shoes, nothing else). We brought crampons just in case, but they weren't needed. The last mile or so is the toughest and steepest, but at that point we were hiking on/fighting with red cinder and scree.

Tam McArthur Rim Trail

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This weekend we took advantage of the only nice day (Saturday), and hiked up the Tam McArthur Rim trail. We saw reports of snow on the trail, so I wasn't really sure how difficult the hike was going to be. As you drive up to Three Creeks Lake, you see the rim, almost majestic over the water, with mountains in the background. Yes there was snow, but it didn't look too intimidating! The first mile or so on the trail is bare and in perfect condition. There are some down trees that block the path in a few areas, but nothing you can't easily climb over or go around.

The last mile and a half is a bit trickier. The snow starts out minimal, but soon the trail is completely covered and you're essentially on your own to figure out which way to go. The trick is this: Although the trail is lost, the goal is to get up to the top area of the rim. As long as you follow around the rim, you should get to your destination.

The best viewing point on the rim! Broken top and the Three Sisters Mountains.
We hiked up a bit further to see if the view got getter, or to see if Broken Top was more visible, but this ended up being the best! It might not look like much, but the mountains look so close and huge, and the cliff/slope with the snow on it is really breathtaking! To the right is also two lakes (Three Creeks Lake and Little Three Creeks Lake). Beauty really surrounds you, and personally I think the snow adds to that!
If you're feeling adventurous, this hike is very do-able right now, or wait for the snow to melt. Both will end with amazing panoramic views!

Mount Bachelor Hike

Do you live in Central Oregon and ski/snowboard? If so, you've probably been to Mt Bachelor. Maybe you have even taken the Summit lift to the top and enjoyed the view. I, however, do not ski or snowboard, and had never had the pleasure of enjoying the panorama from this Central Oregon treasure.  On Sunday that changed. Ski season is over, so it seemed like the perfect time to hike to the top of Mount Bachelor! We stopped in to Pine Mountain Sports and rented a set of snow trekking poles (only $5 for the whole day!), since the mountain is still covered in snow, and headed up to the mountain. From the parking area, Mt Bachelor does not seem intimidating - but the 2.5 mile hike, and 2500 foot elevation gain was not exactly what I would call easy!
I can see why people love this mountain, and am a bit jealous of those who call Bachelor home on the weekends during ski season.

Above - near the top of Bachelor. Beautiful view, but it gets better!(see how steep the hike is??)

Taken from Mt Bachelor's "true summit". Although the mountains look small/far away, that's just because of the panoramic viewpoint. In reality they are HUGE and look so close!

*If snow hiking is not your thing, the snow will eventually melt. According to Mt Bachelor's website, you can buy a chairlift ticket (adult $17/seniors $14) starting July 4th, which will take you about half way up. From there you can either hike to the top, play disk golf, eat a meal at Pine Marten Lodge, or just enjoy the beautiful views!

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