This is a surprisingly good trail, not even one tree to step over though a bit dusty. The sign at the TH says it's 4 miles one-way but my GPS said its only 3.6 miles and 2,307' EG from the TH at 4,944'. There's a little bit of reclimb so I ended up with 2,401' total EG.
Fantastic views and I was glad to be hiking in more comfortable temperatures, unlike a couple of days ago. As I drove to the TH, the car thermometer registered as low as 38 degrees as I passed through the area between Detroit and Sisters but once I gained some altitude, the reading shot up to 63 by the time I got to the TH at 5200’ about 9 AM. Nice inversion!
A few photos:
Sadly, the forest is completely toast for the first 2/3 of this hike. But still scenic in an artsy sort of way:
Sad that these trees died after having to work so hard for centuries to survive in this climate:
Once having gained some altitude, the views commenced:
The final bit to the summit:
The view south from the summit:
The view north:
Here's a view into the main crater:
The pass from the summit:
And a close up shot:
I noticed a trail leading off to the west that looked like it might head for the crater rim so checked it out:
This trail petered out after a few hundred feet but the rim was easy enough to follow. I eventually left the rim and made a beeline through the open burned forest and rejoined the maintained trail.
Looking back at the summit for the rim:
Away from the rim heading towards the regular trail:
The map:
And now the part about the "Eternal Trees": A photo I took 51 years ago from my camping spot on the north side of Hwy242 next to the lave flow. And yesterday from the same spot. Amazing how little has changed in so many years.
On a similar note, here is a shot I took from the summit of a little Kipuka out in the lava flow. I visited this a few years ago while exploring the area and took a few photos but can't find them at the moment. The changes here should prove interesting once a few decades have passed.
Close up:
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