Cabin Fever Chronicles – Getting Outdoors with Rod

Of the many activities to choose from in Oregon’s Metolius River area, a hike up 6,436 ft Black Butte is one I had never undertaken. Black Butte (affectionately known as “Black Butt”) is a cinder cone, formed thousands of years ago when Central Oregon was much more geologically active. When in the area whether at Santiam Summit, Three Fingered Jack, the town of Sisters, the Metolius Valley, or McKenzie Pass, you can see cone-shaped Black Butte.

I had heard the hike is hard, but the 360-degree views are unsurpassed. So on my birthday weekend, we made plans to undertake it. Bill, Tatsuro and I took the challenge. It was a perfect bluebird day. Turns out much of the hike up is very exposed, so it’s a good thing we started in the morning.

There is a way to cut off most of the way up – because a road switchbacks up to a trailhead about halfway up the mountain. We arrived at 11 a.m., and it was almost filled with cars. Slathered in sunscreen and tanked up with water, we slung backpacks and started up. Lower portions are dotted with many old-growth, wind-blown Ponderosa Pines. It was clear to me that winter winds take their toll on trees clinging to the slopes.

We were at Three Fingered Jack yesterday! Wow.

When we first emerged from the lower forest, we were rewarded with a view west – Three Fingered Jack! Yesterday’s clouds and fresh dust of snow were gone. But this was but one of many views we were to encounter on the two-plus mile to the summit. Just glimpsing this one added much energy to the quest. The hike is steep! Not for the timid. We met a lady at the trailhead who seemed really focused and let her go on. Little did we know, was doing the trail twice that day! Olympic training?

Summit fire tower, with hikers below.

The hike is very steep and exposed to the sun and wind. On this day, we had sun and heat. But zero wind. It could have been much more hot. Or windy. We considered ourselves fortunate! And the views? Food for the hike. To the south – a view of geologic history. Newberry Crater, McKenzie Pass, and the Three Sisters!

North and South Sister. Middle Sister is hidden.

Such beauty is breathtaking! Thousands of feet below us lay the Metolius River Valley and Black Butte Ranch.

But there was much more climbing to go. The trail finally switchbacks its way in a circuitous route eastward and then northward before it reaches the summit. Bonus! This means more views!

10,450 ft Mt. Jefferson, Black Butte’s northern neighbor.

We enjoyed unlimited views in all directions along this hike, none more spectacular than that of Mt. Jefferson just to the north.

Tatsuro, myself, and Bill. To the left are the Three Sisters, and on the right, Mt Washington.

I love trails!

A 360 degree view is the treat when you summit Black Butte. You can also see all the way to 14,410 ft. Mt Rainier and 12,280 ft Mt Adams. Wow! We met many people there with lots of stories to tell. We then wolfed down our lunches, loaded up and made the journey home.

This was a birthday hike to remember! On the way down, I encountered the woman doing laps. All she could do was grunt. Well, I Hope to do many more hikes like this one!

A brooding Three Fingered Jack awaits hikers

Our first Metolius River Region activity was to be a hike up to Three Fingered Jack. The trailhead is at Jack Lake, reached via a bony unmaintained dirt road. Myself, Bill, Tatsuro, David, Teresa and Anthony all did this hike.

The weather at the trailhead was warm. Yet the mountain remained shrouded in clouds most of the hike. When it did emerge, we saw fresh snow coating the rocky slopes.

The first part of the trail was warm and sunny. Later, lots of blow down lay across. Bear grass blooming!

Years ago a massive forest fire scorched this region. Initially, the trail climbs through new growth which has sprung up since then. Bear grass, huckleberry, and young pines cover the landscape. The upper reaches were spared the conflagration. Up there, trail crews hadn’t gotten a chance to fix winter’s carnage, so a number of downed trees lay across the trail. We had to climb over or under.

Wildflowers and new growth coming back, amongst the charred remains of the old forest.

Snow patches several feet thick became more numerous as we got closer to Canyon Creek. Canyon Creek Meadows is a beautiful area which by July is a carpet of wildflowers. Once at Canyon Creek, the entire meadow was a threaded series of snowmelt streams, and it became difficult to continue. I decided to stop with David, Teresa and Anthony at a log, and have lunch. Bill and Teresa hiked further, but it wasn’t long before they returned. The trail got buried under snow and mud up there.

The Canyon Creek Meadows hike to Three Fingered Jack is a must-do if you visit the Metolius area. It’s only a few miles up to the foot of the mountain. Beautiful views and an up close look at an extinct volcano make it worth the hike!

Right on cue, fly fishermen emerged as we set up our camp chairs.

Of Oregon’s many natural wonders, the Metolius River Valley stands out in my heart. With its red-bark Ponderosa Pines, dry air, fly fishermen and perfectly burbling river waters, the Metolius River valley is absolutely cinematic. I return there year after year, and have never been disappointed. I celebrated my birthday there this year with Bill, Tatsuro, plus my neighbors Teresa, Dave and son Anthony.

Tatsuro’s riverside real estate! It warmed up so much we were down to T-shirts and shorts.

My favorite place to camp is the Allan Springs Campground. It sits on a peninsula in the river. Bill, Tatsuro and I left Portland early to score a campsite and we were rewarded with a big site on a bend in the river. We could see up the river, plus it meandered and bent just at our campsite. Once we set our chairs on the water’s edge, Tatsuro pronounced, “THIS is IT!” And he was right.

Anthony found the hammock pretty quickly!

Maybe an hour after we set up, Dave, Teresa and Anthony joined us. There was a possible shower in the forecast so I set up my pop-up shelter over the picnic table. After happy hour by the river and chopping some wood for a fire, it was time to cook up some good grub!

Happy was the hour that day by the river

Teresa does stir fry like a boss!

My favorite group camp meal by far is stir fry. Intimidating to the uninitiated, stir fry wins over everybody because what comes off the flame is fresh, hot, healthy and in no way can be screwed up. It’s so simple. Chop up the ingredients and leave them on the table in small tubs. Leave the sauces out. And let each camper have at it. The only drawback is it’s one wok meal at a time. Campers have to wait their turn, but it’s worth it. If someone offers to make something in advance, it only makes things worse as it sits getting cold. The one thing to make for everyone is rice. So, I bring a rice cooker and make it on a separate stove. No Jetboils here. They won’t work for a stir fry meal!

Supper finished and cleaned up. Time for relaxing by the fire. Well, that’s hard for Anthony, because there is wood to be chopped! I think he needed to burn some calories, which he surely did.

Morning brings more guess what? FOOD. OMG. Talk about gluttony. Bacon, link and patty sausage. Eggs. Hash browns. Had enough? Oh no. Blueberry pancakes! Stuffed? There was more.

Got to cook up all of it no matter what!

Breakfast was birthday time! Pound cake with CoolWhip….OMG.

A picture is worth 1,000 words!

OK. We did more than eat and drink. We hiked up to Three Fingered Jack, and also hiked to the summit of Black Butte – just two of the many things to do in the area. But those will be up coming blog posts! Stay tuned.