I hung out in the Portland area for quite a bit, but had a hankering for central Oregon. It is unquestionably beautiful and worth the time and effort to get there. There were not a lot of good backcountry campsites with views, but eventually I found a spot so awesome, I never left. It was a nugget of a spot along a power line access road. It sat on the west side of Elk Lake which itself was nestled just south of South Sister and west of Mt. Bachelor. I spent a number of weeks here and recruited Paul and Griff to visit on separate occasions.
Mornings were pleasant watching the sunrise.
While I putzed around on my own, I pretty much stuck to the scattered Cascade Lakes which dotted the area, but when Paul arrived, we did a bit more "strenuous" hikes.
For me, the most enjoyable trek was up South Sister (10,358 ft.).
Slow and steady wins the race.
Looking south, we saw Mt. Bachelor (9,065 ft.) from the summit, lava flow bottom-right, and (I'm guessing) Diamond Peak to the right in the background.
Looking north, the sky was clear enough to get Middle Sister (10,047 ft.) and North Sister (10,085 ft.) in the foreground and Mt. Jefferson (10,497 ft.) and Mt. Hood in the background.
After our trek up South Sister, we hiked up Mt. Bachelor. Because it is really a skiing spot, the "hike" was pretty much a zigzag up the chairlift path. But a fun time either way.
Paul in the foreground checking out the volcanic Three Sisters.
After Paul took off, Griff came down for an impromptu visit. Griff LOVES the outdoors and being in nature. His reliable Toyota Corolla (with a 6-disc CD changer!) mobbed up and down the rugged terrain. He even carries his own air compressor.
Griff and I checked out a couple lakes while solving the world's problems.
It was a short trip, but after visiting the Lichtenbergers at their spot in La Pine for dinner, we drove back out for a campfire and Giants-Dodgers opening day baseball on the radio.
And a 138 Ash Creek Dr reunion with the crew. Diggs, Griff, Beans, and me. We met up for some outdoor dining at some food trucks before I took off.
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