Hike Info:
Trailhead: Lava Camp Lake Trailhead, lat � 44.2599 / long � 121.78715
Total Miles: 9
Elevation Gain: ~1500'
Difficulty: Moderate
Family Friendly: Yes
All Season: No
My boys and I wanted to do a short backpacking trip in the central Oregon Cascades while we were vacationing in Sunriver. Other options like Green Lakes and Park Meadow were still covered in snow, so we went to the Matthieu Lakes area off the McKenzie Pass.
We started at the Lava Camp Lake trailhead, near mile post 78 on the McKenzie Highway. When my wife dropped us off, the place was deserted� no cars or people anywhere. It looked like we�d get some solitude! As soon as we opened the van doors, the mosquitoes invaded, much to the chagrin of my wife.
We started off by taking the short connector from the trailhead to the PCT. From there, we headed south towards the North Sister and Matthieu Lakes. The mosquitoes were thick in spots, but the DEET kept us relatively bite free.
  
As we ascended the ridge above North Matthieu Lake, the wind really started to pick up. We could see Scott Mtn and the lower foothills, but none of the big peaks were showing off. Once in the clear, we could see rain showers and some thick clouds moving in from the west.
 
 
We hustled up to South Matthieu Lake to setup camp before the rain came. We found a great site, partially sheltered from the gusting wind, setup camp, and explored the area for an hour or so before the showers hit us. Dillon found an interesting piece of wood, and impersonated a shepherd playing an alpenhorn.
      
South Matthieu Lake is a really neat small lake, situated right at the Cascade crest. From the east side of the lake, you can see the high desert of central Oregon. From the west side, you see the Cascade foothills. Looking south, the North Sister is right in your face, and the top of the Middle Sister is just visible.
The wind whipped over the Cascade crest all evening and into the night, bringing light to moderate showers with it. We cooked and ate dinner in the tent, played games, and joked around until it was time to go to sleep.
  
By morning, the wind, clouds and rain were gone, the sky was crystal clear blue, and the mountains were out. It was a perfect morning to go on a hike to Yapoah Crater. After a pancake breakfast, we headed out on the PCT. Yapoah Crater is a volcanic butte on the northern shoulder of the North Sister, and affords great views from the Sisters to Mt. Adams, and all the way to Smith Rock and beyond in the east.
     
Parts of the trail were still snow covered on the way to Yapoah. In one spot, my 7 year old nosed out the trail where it was difficult to follow even for dear old dad. The last � mile up to the top of the crater was a steep scree slog similar to the South Sister, but well worth the views.
     
The trip back to camp was fun but uneventful save my boys� amusing attempts to slide down a low angle snow field.
   
We took a short swim in the lake to cool off before packing up and heading back to the trailhead to meet mom and baby sister. On the way out, we took the old Skyline Trail past North Matthieu Lake, giving us a close up view of the lava rimmed lake.
    
It was a great trip, and I recommend the area as a short backpack with kids or longer day hike. Day 1 covered 3 miles and less than 1000� elevation gain. Day 2 was 6 miles including hike to Yapoah Crater, and about 700� elevation gain. | 
