Up close and personal with Three Fingered Jack

Most Central Oregon hikers have been to Canyon Creek Meadows to enjoy the spectacular wildflower displays. Now that we are into October, of course, the popular flower displays are long gone. Still, there are plenty of good reasons to hike into this unique and scenic area.

In spite of all the foot traffic into this area during wildflower season, most hikers I talk to have not made the extra effort to visit the little glacial tarn tucked away on the northeast slopes of Three Fingered Jack. It's not visible until you are right upon it, so most hikers probably don't even know that it's there. Visiting this spot, however, is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with Three Fingered Jack.

There seems to be some discussion over whether the snow and ice remnant clinging to the northeastern part of this ancient volcanic plug still constitutes a bona fide glacier. However, one look at the impressive moraine and the scooped-out basin that cradles the tiny lake against the mountain's flanks leaves little doubt that Jack Glacier was once a force to be reckoned with.

Three Fingered Jack is one of the older volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain Range and is now classified as extinct. Centuries of erosion have left little more than the central hard core of solidified lava - or plug - that remains today. Even so, I've seen firsthand from the summit that those jagged pinnacles are continuing to erode. The crumbling rock can provide precarious conditions for climbers.

The hike starts from a trail that wraps around the east and north shores of Jack Lake. At a trail junction about a quarter mile from the parking lot, a loop begins at the edge of the wilderness area. The Forest Service encourages clockwise travel around the loop, so take the well-marked fork to the left. The total round trip to the tarn and the lower slopes of Three Fingered Jack is a little over 7 miles.

The area near Jack Lake was badly burned in the B&B fire of 2003; but many pockets of green survive, particularly on the north shore, which was in the lee of the fire. The Forest Service has done a good job of cutting the trail through the deadfalls resulting from the fire. The two-mile climb to the lower meadow takes the hiker from a predominantly pine forest into one of fir and hemlock and has an elevation gain of only about 400 feet.

From the lower meadow, there are two routes to the vividly turquoise blue-green tarn. Following the obvious trail up the ridge is probably the most direct route. The other veers off to the right and passes through the upper meadow, where Canyon Creek first begins to gather itself to tumble its way to the Metolius River near Camp Sherman. Both routes eventually lead to a very steep and difficult ascent of the moraine left by the retreat of Jack Glacier. The top of the moraine is a thousand feet above the lower meadow.

If you are traveling with pets or children, do not allow them to run ahead toward the top of the moraine. The inner sides of the moraine are comprised of loose and unconsolidated rocks on an extremely steep slope that plunges precipitously into the icy lake below.

Once atop the moraine, the color of the glacial lake is reward enough; but also enjoy the sweeping views of the mountain, the summit of which is just 1,300 feet higher. The summit pinnacle is a technical climb and should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers. If, however, you are seeking additional viewpoints, carefully follow the ridge of the moraine south.

When it's time to return, carefully retrace your steps to the lower meadow and rejoin the loop trail. The return route, the northern fork to the left, immediately plunges into a lush, pristine, old-growth fir forest as the trail follows Canyon Creek in its gentle descent. You'll be in for a real treat with lessons in forestry, climate zones, and forest fire behavior.

With the beauty of this forest, you'll scarcely notice the passage of the next mile. When you find yourself at the trail junction to Wasco Lake, you're on the home stretch. For a quick return, stay on the south side of Canyon Creek to return to Jack Lake; but don't be so focused on the return that you miss the scenic falls just a few yards downstream from the Wasco Lake trail.

When we took this hike, it was a very hot day; and we decided to take a detour to Wasco Lake for a refreshing swim. By now, however, the lake will be a bit more chilly. The lake is only seven tenths of a mile off the return trail.

The final portion of the return trip takes you through more of the burn. Some areas were lightly burned and are well on their way to recovery. Some spots were passed over by the fire and remain green. Other areas were more severely burned and are taking longer to recover. There's a lot to see on this hike, and you'll almost be sorry when you arrive back at the parking lot.

To get to the Jack Lake Trailhead, take Highway 20 west from Sisters for 12 miles. Turn right onto Jack Lake Road. Stay on paved road #12 for 4.3 miles to a right-turning curve, where you make a left turn toward Jack Creek. Cross the one-lane Jack Creek Bridge and continue straight about a mile and a half until the pavement ends. Follow the sign to Jack Lake on gravel road 1234 for about another five miles to where the road

ends.

The Jack Lake Trailhead is a fee-use area. If you don't have a trail pass, there is a self-service kiosk. A free wilderness pass is also required and available at the trailhead. Keep in mind that deer season has begun, and it is always a good idea to wear blaze orange wherever you are hiking during hunting

season.