Cascade Mountain Hikes in Fall Can Have Unexpected Weather Conditions

Hiking in the Oregon Cascades in the fall can offer amazing experiences with stunning views, early snow, fall colors, and no need for forest passes. However, the weather can also change suddenly and hikers need to be prepared.

On October 26, 2024, the hike from Three Creeks Lake to Tam McArthur Rim began with low clouds covering the Cascades. The hike up from the trailhead (the sign was already covered for winter), to the rim experienced some wind, although much of the early part of the trail was in sheltered forest. Once reaching the rim, the winds really picked up, but the clouds also lifted so that the mountains (Broken Top, The Three Sisters, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack) could be seen.

Typically the unmaintained trail from Tam McArthur Rim to Broken Top and No Name Lake is fairly simple until hikers reach the cinder rim which is traversed before getting to Broken Hand. On October 26, the clouds lifted and the wind picked up. For those not prepared for wind chill, the gusty winds would have really impacted comfort. Hiking below Broken Hand rather than across the face made a lot of sense as the wind was getting even more fierce. Upon reaching the ridge overlooking No Name Lake, the wind was extremely strong and it was difficult to even stand; anything loose would have been blown off the ridge. Getting a few pictures and returning to a more sheltered space behind a rock outcropping made sense, as well as drinking hot drinks before attempting the trek back. Very few people traveled this hike to Broken Top this day, although upon returning to Tam McArthur Rim, there were a good number who had reached the rim in the afternoon once the weather warmed a bit. 

Anyone who hikes in the Cascades in the fall needs to be prepared for changing weather and unexpected situations. But for those who do, the rewards can be amazing.

What's in the October 2024 Bend Premier Real Estate Newsletter?

• Bend Home Sales Are Up
• Easy Cheeseburger Soup
• Fall Activities in Central Oregon
• Canyon Meadow Hike
• The Top Three Reasons Affordability is Improving

Canyon Meadow is a Permitted Hike in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness

Canyon Meadow is a relatively easy hike in Central Oregon if limited to just the meadow loop which takes trekkers through burned forest, old growth forest and the meadow back to the beginning at Jack Lake. However, many will take the one way climb past the meadow up to the base of Three Fingered Jack. This adds significant elevation gain as well as beautiful views of Three Fingered Jack, sometimes including mountain goats and technical climbers on the craggy top of the mountain. For those adventurous enough to climb the loose rock and pumice past the glacial lake onto the ridge separating Three Fingered Jack from the nearby unnamed hill, the views south toward the Three Sisters and Mt. Washington and the views north toward Mt. Jefferson are spectacular. 

Scrambling down the loose scree from the view points takes time, and trekking poles can be very helpful. Once the difficult section of the hike is passed, people can return the way they had come, or for a difference experience they can hike down the meadow following the stream that flows from the moraine holding the glacial lake. During certain times of the year, this path can be through acres of lupine dominated wildflowers. For those who take the entire Canyon Meadow loop as suggested, the trip results in over 1600 feet of elevation gain and under eight miles in length.

What's in the September 2024 Bend Premier Real Estate Newsletter?

• Are Lower Mortgage Rates Spurring Bend Sales?
• Summertime Fruit Salad
• 10 Things to Do in September
• Take the Climbers Trail to Middle Sister
• Early Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market

If you are one of the people who love to climb mountains, you are probably familiar with the climber's trail which provides the established way to summit North Sister in the Oregon Cascades. For those not that ambitious but who love a long day hike, taking the trail part way will enable hikers to have amazing Cascades views plus close up access to Hayden Glacier on Middle Sister.

The route to Hayden Glacier starts at the Pole Creek Trailhead. This is the same trail that is taken to reach Camp Lake which provides for wonderful access to the north facing slopes of South Sister. The first 3.5 miles is through the burned forest of the 2012 Pole Creek fire, but after leaving burned woods, the trail enters healthy forest and the trek is shaded. Before hikers reach the North Fork of Whychus Creek, an unmarked trail intersects the main path. Climbers take this path (which has an optional loop up and back) to access the hike to summit North Sister.

The climbers' trail gains elevation quickly as hikers walk up the lower slopes of Middle and North Sister. The first mile or so remains in shaded forest, but as hikers gain elevation, they leave forest and start walking through the jumbled rock and ash of multiple moraines. At one time these were filled with glaciers, but these have mostly melted, leaving behind the steep gullies and loose stone scrapped off the mountains over thousands of years. Climbing up the moraines can be difficult, but coming down is harder as it is easy to slip on the loose stone. 

For those who do continue the technical climb up North Sister, it is recommended this be done in a group with people who really know what they are doing. For those of us who just enjoy a great, long day hike, the option to travel to Hayden Glacier is one very few do and it can be very rewarding. The entire trip, including the loop up and back the climber's trail, is under 3000 feet of elevation gain and less than 13 miles back to the Pole Creek Trailhead.