Devils Peak (Sky Lakes Wilderness) 17-Oct-2017

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VanMarmot
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Devils Peak (Sky Lakes Wilderness) 17-Oct-2017

Post by VanMarmot » October 20th, 2017, 2:35 pm

Humans plan; the gods laugh.  I had several new hikes planned in Southern Oregon's Sky Lakes Wilderness to enjoy it during the usually glorious (and bug-free) Fall weather.  But lightning strikes (thank you, Zeus!) ignited the Spruce Lake, Blanket Creek, and North Pelican fires, and these closed this wilderness (and parts of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)) until a week ago.  Then we got our first snow (thank Chione for that!), with much more coming soon.  So, with my Sky Lakes hiking needs unmet, and the weather window about to snap shut, I consulted the augeries and soon visualized Devils Peak.  Devils isn't the highest peak in this wilderness (that would be Mount McLoughlin), but it is the presiding monarch of the Seven Lakes Basin and a summit which, based on previous trips, I knew had one heck (metaphorically speaking) of a great view. So enthusiasm and caffeine made for an early start,

Image Dawn over Highway 140 and Mount McLoughlin

and arrival at the Seven Lakes Trailhead while the hunters were still out looking for deer. From there it was up the rocky, but otherwise clear, Seven Lakes Trail (USFS #981) toward Frog Lake. I crossed some minor snow patches before reaching the lake,

Image Early times on the Seven Lakes Trail

Image Frog Lake

but just beyond the lake, snow started to completely cover the trail and only got deeper as I climbed. Fortunately, it's hunting season and hunters (and their horses) had already broken trail for me. I followed the Seven Lakes Trail to its junction with the Devils Peak Trail (USFS #984), where I got my first view of Devils Peak to the east.

Image Devils Peak from the trail junction

I turned on to the #984 and headed east through snow that was everywhere and 12 to 18 inches deep in many places.

Image Snow along the Devils Peak Trail

The Devils Peak Trail traverses the head of the Seven Lakes Basin and, when the trail finally breaks out of the forest, provides one of the greatest panoramic views of the Crater Lake Rim to be had.

Image Looking north from the Devils Peak Trail

Image Union Peak (U), Diamond Peak (D), The Watchman (W), Mount Thielsen (T), Llao Rock (L), Garfield Peak (G), Mount Scott (S)

Image Devils Peak

After passing beneath Venus, Jupiter, and Lucifer, the Devils Peak Trail junctions with the PCT. Here, on the southeast side of the ridge, the PCT was virtually snow-free.

Image Along the PCT with Lucifer beyond

The lack of snow, and the use trail that now runs from the PCT over the summit of Devils, greatly facilitated my arrival at the summit. Many scattered chunks of concrete and some rusted metal straps are all that remain of the fire lookout that once stood here: as a cabin from 1917 to 1930, then as an L-4 cab until it was destroyed in 1968. Sad, because it would have made for a popular rental.

Image The summit of Devils Peak

The view from the summit, despite some thin clouds overhead and haze on the horizon, was magnificent. Lucifer, Venus (the Roman love goddess (Aphrodite to the Greeks)), and Jupiter (the Roman version of Zeus), were arrayed in a line to the west.

Image Lucifer (L), Venus (V), and Jupiter (J)

Mount McLoughlin, Luther Mountain, and Lucifer were visible to the south through haze from the still burning Miller Complex Fire. The anecdotal tale here is that Luther was named to offset the Devil. But then someone threw in Lucifer and a couple of Greek/Roman gods and goddeses! What's with that?  Some many mythologies, so little clarity.

Image Mount McLoughlin on the left, Lucifer on the left, Luther between them; the white strip across Lucifer is the PCT

Turning a little to the southeast brought Mount Shasta into view. This year's unending wildfires and smoke have made the usually crisp views of Shasta from 85 miles away hard to come by.

Image Mount Shasta (S), Brown Mountain (B), Mount McLoughlin (M)


Image Mount McLoughlin

This smoke and haze also took its toll on clear views of Klamath Lake to the east.

Image Marshes of Upper Klamath Lake in the distance; Lee Peak in the right foreground

It was sunny on the summit, with only a light wind - warm enough to allow for a snack eaten in comfort. But cooler air and longer shadows soon suggested that it was time to get moving. The traverse back along the Devils Peak Trail was enlivened by whimsical cloud formations,

Image Clouds over the Devils Peak Trail

and, after 10.6 miles round-trip and 2,300 feet of elevation gain, I was back at the Seven Lakes Trailhead. This is one of the classic hikes in the Sky Lakes; it's a little tedious up to Frog Lake but gets better and better after that. The view of the Seven Lakes Basin from the Devils Peak Trail is amazing - almost, but not quite - better than those from the summit!

Image My out-and-back track to Devils Peak

Aimless
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Re: Devils Peak (Sky Lakes Wilderness) 17-Oct-2017

Post by Aimless » October 20th, 2017, 9:55 pm

Thanks for another outstanding trip report. I just wish I could spend more time hiking in that area. Although, given the horrific air quality issues you all had for months down there, maybe I should qualify that wish a bit and add a few more specifications. ;)

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VanMarmot
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Re: Devils Peak (Sky Lakes Wilderness) 17-Oct-2017

Post by VanMarmot » October 21st, 2017, 6:06 am

Aimless wrote:Thanks for another outstanding trip report. I just wish I could spend more time hiking in that area. Although, given the horrific air quality issues you all had for months down there, maybe I should qualify that wish a bit and add a few more specifications. ;)
Thanks! And yes, sadly, our air quality was worse than usual for much longer this year. But it was that way throughout the West - we were in smoke in Idaho & Montana too. The smoke has passed but, perhaps even more sadly, the effects of the wildfires that spawned it have not. :cry: Still, most of the Sky Lakes escaped the flames and will be here for you next season! :D

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retired jerry
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Re: Devils Peak (Sky Lakes Wilderness) 17-Oct-2017

Post by retired jerry » October 21st, 2017, 7:17 am

What about northern California like Trinity Alps?

A week ago there was still a lot of smoke, but maybe now there's enough rain? Or maybe a few more weeks?

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Re: Devils Peak (Sky Lakes Wilderness) 17-Oct-2017

Post by VanMarmot » October 21st, 2017, 8:34 am

retired jerry wrote:What about northern California like Trinity Alps?

A week ago there was still a lot of smoke, but maybe now there's enough rain? Or maybe a few more weeks?
We're in the midst of our first decent rain/snow storm in months and the end of the fire season down here was called officially last Friday. All of the closure orders have been lifted (which doesn't mean everything is accessible because of weather, road damage, falling trees, etc.). The Trinities are getting some snow but not much ( a few inches); it's changing to rain now. The weather down here next week is supposed to be sunny and warm. Could be a good time for a late season visit?

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