Day 5.
…Why doesn’t JoJo answer? Why won’t the blamed bird come home when he’s called? Is he in trouble? Or, is he just trying to avoid the inevitable lashing when he gets home for staying out all night…
Another bright, sunny day and the morning stillness is broken, (or was it shattered? I don’t know), by the cry, “Here, JoJo!!” “Here, JoJo!”. At least, to me, that’s what it sounded like. There was one bird here at Sawyer Bar, that felt compelled to call JoJo over and over again. Why doesn’t JoJo answer? Why won’t the blamed bird come home when he’s called? Is he in trouble? Or, is he just trying to avoid the inevitable lashing when he gets home for staying out all night…
…up over Opie Dilldock Pass. (Nope. Not making that name up…Wonder if he was related to good ol’ JoJo?? Opie and JoJo…Sounds like a criminal duo to me…)
These questions, and many others entered my mind, as I actually entertained the idea of helping look for wayward JoJo…hey, I figured if I could help find him, then maybe the danged bird would shut up, or at least start singing something else…Once packed, we headed away from Sawyer Bar, away from JoJo, and up over Opie Dilldock Pass. (Nope. Not making that name up…Wonder if he was related to good ol’ JoJo?? Opie and JoJo…Sounds like a criminal duo to me…)
Since we had made up an extra 1.5 miles from the day before by pushing on to Sawyer Bar, we decided that when we got to the Collier Cone, we should take the little side trip around it’s rim, which topped out at 7526ft. Awesome views from there, of the Collier Glacier on the Western Slopes of the North Sister, and all of the barren terrain at the base. When we reached the high point of Collier cone, we were afforded a magnificent 360 degree view, of the Middle and North Sisters, Little Brother, West as far as the eye could see, and the smaller mountains rumpled up in succession like large ripples on a lake, to the northwest, we could see, in order, Mt. Washington, 3 Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, and in the far distance, towards home, we could see Mt. Hood.
Back in the eastern direction, you could see the tiny town of Sisters, although not very clearly through slight haze that hung around. I would definitely recommend, if you get the chance, of making this side trip. Reluctantly, we head down the north side of Collier cone, and pick up the trail again, but notice that the snow isn’t as deep, and we find the trail more and more in the bare patches.
We cross paths with two more guys on the trail, and they ask us how the snow is ahead, if it’s like this. We tell them, that unfortunately, no, it gets worse the further south they go. We get a bit of good news from them, as they tell us that the trail from Scott Pass back down to the trail head is mostly snow free! Great news, since this day will be our longest. Saying our good-byes, we continue towards our destination for today, and the trail takes us through another lava bed, and skirts the edge of the Yapoah Crater.
…It seems so alien, that I expect Capt. Kirk, or Spock, with their phasers set to stun, around any corner…
Again, strange lava formations, invaded by the occasional tree, hang on doggedly in this inhospitable terrain. It seems so alien, that I expect Capt. Kirk, or Spock, with their phasers set to stun, around any corner. Finally, we reach South Matthieu Lake, our destination for the evening. The hike here was pretty easy, very gradual, interrupted only by the occasional rise, so we get to the lake around 1:00pm. Lots of time to explore, if we have the inclination. Or, I’m thinking, as I eye the lake, a nice swim first, to get the trail grime off. We claim our spot, and then go swimming. Ahh…
Beautiful lake, but, we decide that if we linger long, the mosquitoes lurking about will drain us dry in about 10 minutes flat.
No mud here, and the water is a great temperature, probably helped by the fact that it’s a relatively small lake, so the sun has had time to do it’s trick. After a nice swim, we decide to hike down to North Matthieu Lake, a little further along, and according to the map, quite a bit bigger. We take only a day pack, our cameras, and still in sandals, head out. Within 15 minutes, we are at Mosquito haven. I mean, the lake.
Beautiful lake, but, we decide that if we linger long, the mosquitoes lurking about will drain us dry in about 10 minutes flat. Couldn’t wait to get out of there, and we’re very thankful that the south lake is not infested with the little bloodsuckers like this one is…Man. Even as I write this, I begin to itch, the memory of the little buggers attacking us is still fresh in my memory. Back to the lake, another quick dip, and then we stretch out in the afternoon sun, to let the sun dry us out. Once you stand up, you notice the wind that just never seems to quit blowing, and as evening approaches, it continues to howl.
…I kept hearing this clicking, and popping noise. No, it wasn’t my knees, but something even louder…
We had deliberately set up our site in an area protected by surrounding trees, and it was then that I noticed something peculiar. I kept hearing this clicking, and popping noise. No, it wasn’t my knees, but something even louder. And, close by. Intent on finding out what it was, I wandered over closer to this old dead snag, and the sound got louder. It was then that I noticed the large crack in the tree, and that it was leaning from having been split almost in half! Every time a gust would come through, it would creak and pop…Boy, I hoped it would last through the night, as it was almost 20 feet tall, and about 10 inches thick, bristling with sharp pointy things called branches!
It’s possible that laziness might have played into our decision, but I’m going with the “living on the edge, take one day at a time, laugh in the face of danger” approach.
We eyed the other dead trees behind out tent suspiciously, as the direction of the wind would bring them down right on top of the tent. We decide to live dangerously, and leave the tent where it is. It’s possible that laziness might have played into our decision, but I’m going with the “living on the edge, take one day at a time, laugh in the face of danger” approach. It just sounds better, don’t you think? After dinner, we find a place to hunker down away from the constant barrage of wind, and play a game of dice before turning in.
The 46-mile circuit of trails around the third-, fourth- and fifth-highest peaks in the state is one of Oregon’s great multinight backpacking opportunities — and one that gives you plenty of those in-your-face views.
Yes, wish we had more opportunity to hike in Oregon, there are some beautiful places to see! Thanks for the comment!
The trail around Mount Hood is officially impassable at Eliot Creek, so the Three Sisters hike is a good alternative.
Excellent info, thank you for sharing this!
Three night backpack – camp at Camp Creek Trail junction, Moraine Lake, and a little beyond Sisters Spring.
Thanks for the info!