After walking through the basalt lava flows around the Three Sisters mountains in Oregon, my friend Frozen and I still had a long 17-mile crossing with more lava flows and burned-out forests ahead. This is the section between McKenzie and Santiam Passes in the Mt Washington Wilderness of Central Oregon. I wasn’t looking forward to this stretch because I knew it would be hot and exposed. Fortunately, we started out early in the morning and it wasn’t too bad.

First, the lava flows weren’t as extensive as I imagined and there are oodles of new baby trees greening the burned-over forest landscape. All of this made the trek much more hopeful.

Also, Frozen’s parents are meeting us along the trail to support her efforts, so on this one-day stretch, they transported our heavy backpacks to the next intersection for us. This is called “slack-packing” and it did make the day much more enjoyable! (Her Dad’s yummy Huckleberry pancakes also helped us get going on this morning!) 

 The historic Dee Wright Observatory at McKenzie Pass, all made from lava rocks
 Trail Angels keep this water cache full for hikers along this dry and exposed stretch of trail.
 Heading out into the lava flows
 Walking around Mt Washington was the focus for the day.

And our bonus along the trail? Huckleberries! Gazillions of berry bushes slowed our pace to a stop while we gorged ourselves in their deliciousness!

After our day of hiking, I was able to join my friends Stephanie and Ken on their nearby camping trip and they lavished me with so much wonderful food and more fresh berries! 

 It’s so fun to be hiking in my home turf again!

Next up, Three-Fingered Jack and the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. Some wildfire smoke added a little haze to this stretch, but it made for fabulous sunsets and didn’t impede our hiking. And although burned out areas are extensive throughout the Mt Jefferson Wilderness, the flowers, berry bushes, lakes and views are spectacular!

 Three-Fingered Jack in the setting sun
 A family of mountain goats stopped by our campsite!
 Photo Credit: Lisa Beebe
 The wildfire smoke did create a spectacular sunset!

The next morning we hiked over Three-Fingered Jack and into an extensive burn zone. 

As Three-Fingered Jack faded into the background, the lovely Mt Jefferson loomed ahead! 

Having backpacked in this area before, I suggested to Frozen that we take an alternate route along Hanks and Pamelia Lakes, and meet up again with the PCT a few miles later. This trail filled with old-growth trees, mossy creeks and overflowing berry bushes did not disappoint! 

But then, I knew the best was yet to come: Jefferson Lakes! 

 Bays Lake
 Mt Jefferson from Jefferson Park
 We spent an entire afternoon swimming and lounging in Scout Lake.
 Frozen and Spice- Happy to feel clean!
 White River flowing off of Mt Jefferson full of glacial silt
 Mt Jefferson Wilderness and the PCT offered us many happy memories! But my favorite of all was just down the trail… next up, Mt Hood!