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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2016)
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 17 Matthieu Lakes: No. 1 hike recommendation By Craig F. Eisenbeis Correspondent I am frequently asked to name my favorite hike, and that’s a really difficult task. On the other hand, I have an unhesitating response if someone asks me, “We only have half a day, where can I take my friends on a hike to show them the best of our area?” The answer to that ques- tion is a no-brainer. I tell them to hike the Matthieu Lakes Trail, a pleasant outing in the Three Sisters Wilderness that does not involve a major expedition. It’s a great hike for people who aren’t really looking for a hard-core all- day adventure; and it has it all: mid-range distance, a modest level of difficulty, wilderness, lush green (unburned) forest, wildflowers, huckleberries, swimmable mountain lakes, and sweeping close-up moun- tain views. This six-mile loop sits just on the Sisters side of McKenzie Pass. The Forest Service lists it as an “easy” hike, but I would consider it “moderate” because of some steep sections. It is suitable for children, but you will probably end up carrying tod- dlers. The outing can also be shortened to a quick 4.6-mile in-and-out hike by visiting only North Matthieu Lake. Less than a quarter of a mile from the trailhead, the route meets the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at a wall of lava rock. Turn left (south) onto the PCT and continue for another half-mile until the trail forks to the right toward North Matthieu Lake. If you miss the fork, it’s no big deal, because the two trails merge again farther up the grade; but you would have bypassed the first lake. The trail heads up a mod- erate grade through a mixed conifer forest of hemlock and fir. The forest floor has lush ground-cover, including low-bush huckleberries, mak- ing it more reminiscent of a West-side forest. Of course, the “West side” is only a half- mile away. As the trail climbs, it passes several ponds; it is well maintained and the going is pretty easy. The Matthieu Lakes are scenic mountain gems. The first, North Matthieu Lake, is 2.3 miles in and is surrounded by dense forest. The unusual spelling of these lakes can be traced to Francis Xavier Matthieu. From Montreal, Canada, Matthieu was among several French pioneers in the Oregon Territory who met at Champoeg in 1843 to estab- lish Oregon’s first provisional government. Matthieu and his fellow Frenchmen voted to join with the Americans, cementing the American claim on the Oregon Territory. Their action sounded the death knell for British inter- ests in the region. Matthieu died at the age of 100 in 1919, still an Oregonian. The lakes were named for him in 1924. From the north lake, the summit of the North Sister can be seen peeking over a ridge to the south. On the day of our visit it was really hot, so we took advantage of the opportunity and jumped right in. After a refreshing swim, we continued on toward the south lake, following the trail around the east shore. South Matthieu Lake is another mile of mostly uphill trail. The total elevation climb from the trailhead is only 800 feet, but it seems like more. The trail rejoins the PCT just before reaching the lake. South Matthieu Lake sits right in the saddle of Scott Pass, which is a feature of significant historical interest in Sisters Country. The mountain view from Scott Pass and the south lake is truly majestic and is a great place to celebrate your hike with a well-earned lunch break. As might be expected, we jumped into the water again and, this time, swam in the company of some interest- ing amphibians, slippery little newts with external gills. If you’re up for a little extra exploration, continue a short distance on the PCT. Try to imagine bringing a herd of a thousand cattle and several wagons over this very steep pass. That’s exactly what Felix Scott, Jr., did here in 1862. He was instrumental in pioneering an early east-west route through this area. Scott Lake, Scott Mountain, Scott Pass and Scott Trail are all named for him. On the return route from DON’T MISS OUT! Take a look at this week’s inserts in The Nugget: Heads or Tails… You Lose Loaner Cars Deductible Assistance Windshield Replacement 541-549-DENT 5 4 1 5 4 9 D E N T • A6 Studio & Gallery: “Opening Japan” Exhibit & Event Guide The gallery, in Bend’s historic Box Factory, presents its newest exhibit highlighting traditional art & culture of Japan, plus workshops and theatre. • Ray’s Food Place: Not shopping here would be a missed steak. Certifi ed Angus beef T-Bone Steaks, now $7.99 per lb. at Ray’s ! 332 W. Barclay Dr., Sisters Since 1989 • Central Oregon g Owned Carpet • Upholstery • Window • Tile • Duct Cleaning Serving all of Central Oregon | Residential | Commercial Carpet Cleaning Tile Cleaning Duct Cleaning L FALL SPECIA es $395 Includ nout! clea dr P. FREE yer vent ires 11/28/16 RB . Exp Coupon required 541-318-1203 • www.ExtremeCleanBend.com south lake, we took the right fork, or “high road,” north of the lake, stay- ing on the PCT. Soon we found ourselves travers- ing a steep red cin- der slope. Keep an eye out below, and you’ll have a great bird’s-eye view of the north lake, which you passed on the way in. Once you’re back inside the for- est, notice the bent photo by Craig F. eisenbeis trees lining the sides of the cin- In the shadow of the North Sister, hikers take a der hillside. Many swim break in South Matthieu lake. of the tree trunks have a prominent curve You’ll know if you’ve missed toward the downward slope the turn, because the trail will before they reach vertically soon set out across a portion to the sky. When these trees of the lava field. The entire were young, heavy snows loop can be easily completed weighted them down-slope in a few hours, including until they were tall enough sightseeing, swimming, and and strong enough to over- lunch breaks. come this seasonal force; but The trailhead is easy to their early history is preserved reach from Sisters. Drive out in the misshapen trunks. the McKenzie Highway (242) The return is a pleasant for a total of about 14 miles. one, and you will soon find Turn left onto a gravel road yourself back at the trail junc- toward Lava Camp Lake after tion where you turned off to milepost 78; it’s also clearly the north lake. Continue north marked for the Pacific Crest on the PCT, and take note of Trail. If you reach McKenzie the numerous burls disfigur- Pass, you’ve gone a half- ing tree trunks and limbs in mile too far. Turn right at the this area. Burls are most often “horse use area,” which is formed by the trees’ response about 0.3 mile off Highway to insects or disease. 242 and before Lava Camp When you reach the clearly Lake. The trail begins at the marked return to the Lava loop parking area. Free wil- Lake trailhead, take a right derness permits are required, and return to your vehicle. and available, at the trailhead.