Three Fingered Jack Loop and Canyon Creek Meadows

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Sugar Pine
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Joined: April 28th, 2017, 12:23 pm

Three Fingered Jack Loop and Canyon Creek Meadows

Post by Sugar Pine » July 23rd, 2021, 8:28 pm

We backpacked the Three Finger Jack loop, taking the Old Summit trail from Santiam Pass to Wasco Lake, day hiking up Canyon Creek, and returning via the PCT the third day.

The hike from Santiam Pass to Wasco Lake was almost entirely through a previous burn (2002 Mt Marion?). We had good views of Mt Washington and the Three Sisters. Some flowers along the trail. There appeared to be good campsites at Square Lake and Jack Lake (although busy as next to a trailhead). The sites at Wasco Lake were at the north end and in a forested section bypassed by the fire. We were lucky to be the only campers the first night. Day 1 stats: 10.8 miles, 1120' ascent, 800' descent.
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View of Mt Washington and Sisters from Old Summit trail
From Wasco Lake we day hiked up Canyon Creek Meadows which was spectacular. The trail up Canyon Creek passed through a lovely forest next to the creek. At Canyon Creek Meadows, Three Fingered Jack comes into view.
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Canyon Creek trail is Y-shaped, intersecting the Old Summit trail twice and leading to TFJ meadow. It is marked "One Way" which seems odd. Or is this the name of one of the arms of the trail?
We continued to hike up for views of the tarn. Just before this point, another hiker pointed out two mountain goats, including a kid. We continued up a steep and graveled route to a higher viewpoint, and then took a long switchback further east to another viewpoint and back down. (This was the easier route to get to the higher viewpoints.)
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View north
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View south
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Maze of trails to saddle above tarn.
We descended through the upper meadow which was filled with blooming lupine and down the trail closest to Jack Lake trailhead to complete a loop. We preferred the trail along Canyon Creek. Day 2 stats: 8.6 miles, 1600 ft ascent/descent.
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Lupine in upper meadow.
The next morning was cool and foggy, great for our ascent out of Wasco Lake to and along the PCT through the burned forest.
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Wasco Lake
The PCT has some tree-shaded areas before and after Three Fingered Jack.
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TFJ from PCT
More mountain goats could be seen in the distant scree below Three Fingered Jack both before and after crossing over the shoulder of the peak. Back in the burn area, the final descent was shadeless and very dusty. Great hike.

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Chip Down
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Re: Three Fingered Jack Loop and Canyon Creek Meadows

Post by Chip Down » July 24th, 2021, 7:43 am

I'm pleased to see the tarn is turquoise again. Last time I was there, it was brown.

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bobcat
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Re: Three Fingered Jack Loop and Canyon Creek Meadows

Post by bobcat » July 24th, 2021, 7:49 am

Sugar Pine wrote:
July 23rd, 2021, 8:28 pm
It is marked "One Way" which seems odd. Or is this the name of one of the arms of the trail?
Canyon Creek Meadows Trail, basically to decrease impact, has for years been designated as a one-way loop, i.e. if you're out for a short day hike, you're supposed to do it as a loop.

Nice pictures and great report!

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