August 19th
The Three Sisters Wilderness is an area of incredible scenery. The drama of relatively young volcanic peaks meets the lushness of the Oregon Forest. We enjoyed the rough and tumbled nature of young lava flows, which contrasted with some of the other formations old enough to be glaciated. Rocks of all hues as different minerals dominated during each volcanic phase. Green forests and crystal blue waters, wildlife abounds. It’s a great place to visit.
It is also remote enough to feel like a wilderness. Yet close enough that there are an incredible number of users – dayhikers, weekenders, section hikers, school groups, other groups too all vying for that one idyllic spot. As through hikers it is nice to pass by during the day and enjoy it without joining a small tent city at night.
From some of th higher ridges we have panoramic views back to Mt Thielsen and ahead to Three Fingered Jack, Mt Washington and majestic Mt Jefferson. The Cascades are beginning to feel like a range of mountains and not just a series of very isolated peaks.
We arrive at McKenzie pass where we plan on hitching into the town of Sisters to spend the night and resupply. It is a very quiet road. We walk up to the observatory parking area, at which most travelers stop. We have pretty good luck and the second car leaving (20 minutes after we arrive) picks us up. A local person showing out of town guests around. They take us into town and wait until we find a motel with rooms. There are 3 motels and only one of them has rooms left. Tourist towns in August in Oregon can be busy. The Comfort Inn is higher priced than we would like, but its not outrageous, and its the only place left with rooms so we suffer the rate and enjoy the jacuzzi……
We know we are getting closer to Canada and closer to our home in north Idaho – the grocery store sells Kokane beer. We indulge in some to make us feel more at home.
Cleaning off the layers of dirt and volcanic dust clinging to my feet, I finally get to the bottom of a problem and reveal a blister on the left heel. It is deeply embedded beneath a callous. I’ll spare the gory details but after much effort manage to drain some nasty puss out of it and already it feels better. We get our chores done to be able to hike out in the morning.
