Many hiking options in Canyon Creek Meadows

At one time or another, most Central Oregon hikers have taken the opportunity to enjoy Canyon Creek Meadows and witness the rich and varied displays of wildflowers. Because of our warm and dry year, wildflowers peaked early this year; but that doesn't mean that all the flowers are completely gone. Regardless, there are still plenty of other good reasons to hike into this unique and scenic area.

This hike explores the eastern base of Three Fingered Jack, and there are a number of options to extend or minimize the length and difficulty of the trip. The "basic" version of the hike consists of a 4.5-mile loop to the lower meadow that is relatively easy. For those wanting more of a challenge, an additional 3-mile round-trip can be tacked on that leads to the upper meadow and a spectacular viewpoint of a beautiful turquoise-colored glacial tarn and views of neighboring Cascade mountains.

Adding all of that portion of the trail brings the hike to 7.5 miles. But, here again, variations are possible. For example, simply continuing on only part way for the easy saunter to the upper meadow adds only an additional mile each way, for a 6.5-mile shorter option. And, there is yet another option that can be added on the return trip. For more mountain variety, and perhaps a refreshing swim, a mile-and-a-half round-trip to Wasco Lake is always fun. Adding the lake would bring the entire excursion to six, eight, or nine miles, depending on which of the earlier options are selected.

It is always nice to have a hike that can be customized to meet the evolving interests of individual hikers. Plus, in this case, each potential addition offers something entirely different, rather than just more-of-the-same miles.

The hike starts from a trail that wraps around the east and north shores of Jack Lake. The area near Jack Lake was badly burned in the B & B fire of 2003; but some pockets of green survived, 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. This portion of the hike clearly illustrates the reforestation process that takes place in the wake of a forest fire. Young lodgepole pine trees are the principal colonizing species in this area of recovery.

At a trail junction less than a half-mile from the parking lot, a sign marks the beginning of a trail loop at the edge of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area. To minimize human encounters and facilitate travel, the Forest Service encourages clockwise travel around the loop; so take the well-marked fork to the left. We encountered a few counterclockwise hikers who either aren't very good at following instructions or simply failed to notice the other leg of the return trail that directly follows Canyon Creek down the mountainside.

The two-mile climb to the lower meadow takes the hiker from the burned, predominantly pine forest into an unburned forest of fir and hemlock but has an elevation gain of only about 400 feet. Another reason to adhere to the clockwise travel pattern is that there is a fairly steep descent as the trail approaches the lower meadow. Taking the suggested return route means not having to climb back up that steep hill!

The first meadow, the lower one, is always a beautiful place; but, this year, some of the little side streams have already dried up. In other years, I have seen these little creeks still flowing even in October. From here, the quick return (the 4.5-mile hike) is to simply follow Canyon Creek and return to the trailhead. To add one of the previously mentioned extended segments of the hike, simply continue to follow the trail uphill into the upper meadow, where Canyon Creek first begins to gather itself to tumble its way to the Metolius River near Camp Sherman.

From Sisters, Three Fingered Jack appears to be a smallish mountain. From a hiker's perspective on this trail, however, it is quite impressive. It 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 volcanic plug - that remains today. Even so, I've seen first-hand from the summit that those jagged pinnacles are continuing to erode. The crumbling rock can provide precarious conditions for climbers.

Depending on how much farther the hiker chooses to travel, there are ever more intimate opportunities to get up close and personal with Three Fingered Jack. There is some continuing 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 tarn against the mountain's flanks leaves little doubt that Jack Glacier was once a force to be reckoned with.

The top of the moraine is a thousand feet above the lower meadow. So, if you continue climbing to the vividly turquoise blue-green tarn, safety precautions are necessary. 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. The summit of the mountain is another 1,300 feet higher. The summit pinnacle, however, is a technical climb and should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers.

Retracing your steps to the lower meadow, take the northern fork of the trail to the left. It 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. Soon, you will find yourself at the trail junction to Wasco Lake. That, of course, means that you're on the home stretch; but it's also your opportunity for that side trip to the cool waters of Wasco Lake. For a quick return to the trailhead, 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 junction.

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. A few scattered spots were passed over by the fire and remain green. Other areas were more severely burned and are taking longer to recover. Along one section of the return trail, instead of a sea of tiny lodgepole pines, the recovering forest floor is covered almost exclusively with young fir trees and a few small hemlocks. There is a lot to see on this hike, and you'll probably be a little 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.