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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2016)
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 21 Scott and Obsidian Trails combine for challenging loop By Craig F. eisenbeis Correspondent It’s always a treat to try new adventures, especially one as scenic and close to home as this one. Lately, my column has focused on short and middle-distance hikes. At 13.3 miles, however, today’s hike offers the serious hiker more of a challenge. This little adventure starts at the Scott Trail Trailhead on the McKenzie Highway, just a few miles west of McKenzie Pass. This route combines with the popular Obsidian Trail, to make one of the most scenic hikes imaginable. At a distance like this, however – with an option to extend it to 16.3 miles — this is not a hike for the casual hiker. Also, since it involves the Obsidian Trail, an advance special-use permit is required. Scott Lake, Scott Mountain, Scott Pass, and the Scott Trail are all named for Felix Scott, Jr., who was instrumental in pioneering an east-west route through this area in 1862. At the end of this five-mile stretch of this historic trail, his route turned north along what is now part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) toward Scott Pass. When Scott pioneered this trail, he traveled with a thou- sand head of stock and nine big freight wagons. Existing roads at that time extended only as far east as Vida, about 20 miles east of Eugene. As a result, Scott’s party had to hack their way through the dense forest on the western slopes of the Cascades, and it took them several weeks to do so. The hike begins at a trail- head on the west (or north) side of Highway 242. The trail crosses the road and heads due east toward the PCT. The forest, at the begin- ning of this hike, is prin- cipally lodgepole pine but turns to mostly hemlock at higher elevations. Some firs also appear as the elevation increases. About 2.5 miles east of the highway, the trail crosses in and out of lava flows and cinder deposits, and the hike becomes a window to the vol- canic history of our region. Along the way, sweep- ing views of the mountains open up, and the trail also offers a good look at Collier Glacier, which has been rap- idly retreating up its glacial valley over the last century. I remember that, fifty years ago, it looked more than twice as big from this spot. The trail also provides a rare perspec- tive from which 7,810-foot high Little Brother is not totally overshadowed by his much taller Three Sisters. Collier Cone, Yapoah Crater, and Four In One Cone are other prominent features seen from this trail that are not in the usual visual spec- trum for residents of Sisters. My hiking companion, who has backpacked all of Oregon’s PCT (and more), remarked that this area has the best scenery of all. Having started at an ele- vation of about 4,800 feet, this hike tops out at 6,320 feet before descending into a huge, gorgeous meadow, where the trail joins up with the PCT. This area is a real wildflower hot spot in the early summer. A small seasonal stream in the meadow dries up late in the season, but is still a nice place for a lunch break. Although the total elevation gain to this point is a little over 1,500 feet, the grade has been reasonable, giving the hiker a break for what is yet to come. The scenery here is unsurpassed. Close-up views of the western slopes of the North and Middle Sisters are unique to this trail. This trail junction is where Scott turned north for the pass that now bears his name. However, today’s hike turns south on the PCT and heads for the very steep Opie Dilldock Pass, named for an obscure cartoon character of the early 1900s. It was named by Forest Service packer Dee Wright and McKenzie Bridge District Ranger Ralph Engels in 1932. The pair was having a tough time crossing through this area until they found this difficult route, and they thought of the cartoon char- acter who was renowned for always finding a way out of ridiculously difficult situa- tions. Feeling that they had found a solution reminis- cent of one of Opie’s esca- pades, they named the pass they found after the cartoon character. Wr i g h t , o f c o u r s e , supervised the Civilian Conservation Corps con- struction of the rock observa- tory atop McKenzie Pass that bears his name. The lava-rock landmark was named in his honor after he died in 1934, prior to completion of the structure in 1935. From the PCT junction, it is 3.7 miles over Opie Dilldock Pass to the next trail junction. The north side of Opie is steep, but the switch- backs descending the south photo by craig f. eisenbeis at the pCt’s junction with the Scott trail, pCt hikers check their intended route. side are even steeper, mak- ing a clockwise circuit of this loop a smart decision. Traditional south-to-north PCT hikers have to ascend this monster from the steep side! Continuing south, the PCT meets up with the upper end of Glacier Way Cut Off, which is your cue to take this steep westbound trail 0.8 mile downhill to a wildflower- laced meadow. However, if a 13.3 mile hike is not enough, you have the option of add- ing three more miles by con- tinuing south 1.1 miles to the junction of the Obsidian Trail. With mountain streams and plentiful wildflower meadows, I have long Quick and affordable relief. N E W F A L L M E N U Let us delight and surprise your tastebuds Auto accidents, workman’s comp. accepted. 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