The first 2 mi or so are along the PCT through an avenue of tall trees, with only an occassional snow patch or fallen tree to clamber over or around.
At the 2 mi mark, we came to the PCT / Union Pk trail junction and headed SW, first following the somewhat faint trail and then, after it started disappearing under larger and larger snow patches, striking off XC up the peak's NE ridge. After about 4.5 mi, we came out on the ridge just below the peak, for views of what seemed like an unusually number of contrails (holiday travel?),
Mt Bailey (left) and Diamond Pk (right),
and the E face of Union Pk directly in front of us.
By this point, we had regained the trail and were able to follow it up around the S side of the peak, with views E toward the peaks surrounding Crater Lake,
and those - like Mt McLoughlin - to the S.
The trail was largely clear of snow up past the narrow section,
but then disappeared under steep snow about halfway to the summit.
But it was pretty easy to simply cut to the left (S) here and scramble up a series of snow-free ledges
to the summit, for views of Pelican Butte (P), Devils Pk (D), Lucifer (L), and McLoughlin (M) to the south,
the huge brown burned areas from the 2008 Lonesome Creek Complex fire to the SW,
and the peaks of Crater Lake (Mt Scott on the far right) to the E, with Mt Thielsen (arrow) in the distance.
After lunch on the summit, it was back down the ledges,
past some pasque flowers just getting started,
to the TH. A moderate (11 mi RT, 1600' EG) but really fun hike/scramble with big views!
And we got to visit one of our beloved national parks too! Win, win!
