Oregon Hikers

Plan was to hike the PCT from Timberline Lodge to the ZigZag canyon edge, drop directly into the canyon, follow the creek up, take the left fork at the obvious split, follow it up to Mississippi Head, explore the B26 wreckage below the cliffs, loop around Mississippi Head clockwise to the ZigZag glacier, ascend ZigZag Glacier and drop back to the lodge.

Started with an extremely light pack; no climbing gear, no water. Dropping into ZZ Canyon was slightly trickier than expected. I saw good opportunities high up, but instead tried the ridge the drops down from the high point just "dowstream" from where the PCT hits the canyon. It was easy, but brushy at the bottom, and since I couldn't see the creek I didn't know if there was a dropoff at the bottom. Worked out fairly well though.

Before heading up the creek, I wanted to start by following it down to the top of the falls that you can see from the PCT crossing. Surprisingly, I was pretty much there already. So I guess with all those switchbacks the PCT takes down into the canyon, it really doesn't end up very far downstream.

Everything pretty much went according to plan. I misjudged the difficulty of several stretches (some were easier than expected, some were harder). Overall, took longer than expected. I was shocked when I checked the time at ZZ Glacier and it was 4:00 already.

Last weekend we had a break from the smoke, but yesterday it was back with a vengeance. By early evening it cleared up a bit and we had some blue sky, but by then I had a sore throat. I'll be caughing up sootballs for a week.

Although the weather was generally good, it was colder/windier than it's been in months. Wore lightweight gloves nearly all day. Breaks were huddled behind rocks when possible.

Didn't see another person all day.

second set of pics will follow

bonus pics

Is there a name for either of those falls above the Zigzag crossing?

Good choice, that's my friend's company.

Derwood, the falls up the canyon are likely too obscure to attract a name, so I doubt they carry official names. But the one closest to PCT should have a name, considering how much exposure it gets. I suppose if one were to refer to it as the ZZ/PCT falls, everybody would know what it meant. The upper one could be tagged ZZ/MH. The others along the side aren't worth naming.

I can always count on Bos for commentary on my beverage selection.

Chip Down wrote: I can always count on Bos for commentary on my beverage selection.

I'm just biding my time until you start posting about almost getting lost in the Gorge again.

Though maybe that won't be happening for any of us until next summer...

Forecast called for snow early Saturday morning above 7500. That's a pretty low snow level for August. I wanted to see it. It was drizzling on the drive up Laurel Hill, so I was worried about a wet start, but no rain at Timberline.

Decided to repeat my Zigzag Creek hike, but with a different exit from the canyon. Then a loop above Mississippi Head would hopefully take me into the snow zone.

At the Zigzag overlook, it was getting light enough to see there was no new snow up there. Bummer.

Dropped into the canyon. I had been apprehensive about that. I don't know why; it's not as if I remembered it being particularly difficult.

Ascended the creek, took the left fork, through the pinch-point, and then ascended out of the canyon earlier (lower) than last time. It was easier this way, but not as easy as it looked. No big deal, not scary, but I was really hoping my route worked out, so I wouldn't have to downclimb.

As the terrain leveled off, I ran into the trail than runs from east Paradise Park to Mississippi. I wasn't expecting it so soon.

Rather than ascending to MH, I continued north to Paradise Branch, so that I could survey Illumination Park. I'v been here before, but not since my explorations of Illumination, so it was fun to revisit.

Then up to MH, and a typical descent to Timberline.

Other parties:
As I walked from Timberline to the ZZ overlook, I noticed there was a pair of hikers behind me! (Shocking because it was dark.)
A few people in upper Paradise, and one person on MH. A pretty quiet day overall. Of course, crowded once I was within a half mile of the lodge, including a paraglider coming down from Palmer. Is that allowed? I can't imagine it is. I hope he was caught and jailed (yes, of course I'm envious, duh).

anyone that does cool things you're not able to do should be jailed?