Tam McArthur Rim (8-19-16)
Posted: August 24th, 2016, 8:19 am
My wife and I took a trip to Tam McArthur Rim. We hiked the usual 2.5ish miles out to the end of the official trail and then continued on another 2+ miles of unmaintained trail to Broken Hand. We had lunch looking over Broken Top's glacial lake and then headed back the way we came. This was an excellent out and back, although the views are better on the way out since you're walking toward Broken Top with Sisters views the whole way.
I don't necessarily have a ton to report, but a few quick notes before the pictures. First, the "unmaintained" trial that continues past the offical end is possibly the easiest off-trial hiking ever. The boot path itself is well worn and virtually indistinguishable from the actual trial. Presumably its relatively frequent use keeps it clear and easy to follow.
Also, its perhaps worth noting that the trial has a few branches and braids (in some cases for horses vs hikers, but other times less obviously marked) but it seems like all go to the same end place. We always choose the branches that stayed closest to the rim for the sake of views.
Anyway, that's enough writing. Here are pretty pictures:
Nearing the end of the official trial, with nice a view over the rim to the Sisters:
And Broken Top:
The longer views up the Cascades were a bit obscured by haze and smoke in the air, but Jefferson, Washington, and 3FJ were all visible and Hood was decernible in the distance but didn't show up in pictures.
A little past the rim and end of the official trial, the Broken Top views improve and become more impressive:
And more of South Sister appears, looming over the rim
Just so they don't feel left out, here are Middle and North Sister as well:
Bachelor views from a little farther down the unmaintained trial:
More Broken Top and South Sister action:
All three:
Finally, the view of Broken Top and the glacial lake from our end point:
Looking over at Bachelor, which is a cool mountain. I feel it gets overshadowed a bit, perhaps because it is a giant sky slope for most of the year, but its a very pretty symmetrical volcano.
Last thing worth mentioning, I've read that this hike can extend to the lake. However, after we reached Broken Hand and scrambled around to the open view of BT, I didn't see an obvious route that would get over the lake. We had already decided to have lunch and then head back so I didn't look very hard but stil wonder if I just miss something super obvious . Either way, great hike and amazing views for relatively little effort (round trip was a bit over 11 miles and 2300 feet EG according to my wife's fitbit).
I don't necessarily have a ton to report, but a few quick notes before the pictures. First, the "unmaintained" trial that continues past the offical end is possibly the easiest off-trial hiking ever. The boot path itself is well worn and virtually indistinguishable from the actual trial. Presumably its relatively frequent use keeps it clear and easy to follow.
Also, its perhaps worth noting that the trial has a few branches and braids (in some cases for horses vs hikers, but other times less obviously marked) but it seems like all go to the same end place. We always choose the branches that stayed closest to the rim for the sake of views.
Anyway, that's enough writing. Here are pretty pictures:
Nearing the end of the official trial, with nice a view over the rim to the Sisters:
And Broken Top:
The longer views up the Cascades were a bit obscured by haze and smoke in the air, but Jefferson, Washington, and 3FJ were all visible and Hood was decernible in the distance but didn't show up in pictures.
A little past the rim and end of the official trial, the Broken Top views improve and become more impressive:
And more of South Sister appears, looming over the rim
Just so they don't feel left out, here are Middle and North Sister as well:
Bachelor views from a little farther down the unmaintained trial:
More Broken Top and South Sister action:
All three:
Finally, the view of Broken Top and the glacial lake from our end point:
Looking over at Bachelor, which is a cool mountain. I feel it gets overshadowed a bit, perhaps because it is a giant sky slope for most of the year, but its a very pretty symmetrical volcano.
Last thing worth mentioning, I've read that this hike can extend to the lake. However, after we reached Broken Hand and scrambled around to the open view of BT, I didn't see an obvious route that would get over the lake. We had already decided to have lunch and then head back so I didn't look very hard but stil wonder if I just miss something super obvious . Either way, great hike and amazing views for relatively little effort (round trip was a bit over 11 miles and 2300 feet EG according to my wife's fitbit).