Trailgrams: Canyon Creek Meadows Loop

This delightful, easy to moderate outing is occasionally confused by other nearby trails. It is not the Three Fingered Jack trail or even the Jack Lake Trail (there is no Jack Lake trail per se). At the Jack Lake trailhead you are treated to options one of which is Canyon Creek Meadows Loop part of which is on the Old Summit Trail.

Photo by Bonnie Moreland

The Canyon Creek Meadow Loop offers many photo ops for Three Fingered Jack.

The loop section is just at five miles with an elevation gain of roughly 600 feet. There are branches that can turn it into a 7.6 mile or longer excursion either to Wasco Lake or to within great photo opportunities near Three Fingered Jack mountain. This also doubles the elevation.

Why go? Jack Lake itself, acquired within minutes, is not the reason. It is small and only mildly picturesque. It's the entirety of the trail with wildflowers much of the summer, tranquility and light traffic comparatively speaking, say as compared to Suttle Lake Loop trail.

About a fourth of the hike is alongside pristine Canyon Creek which at one point has a 15-foot double-drop waterfall.

When to go? Primetime is July through mid-October. You're apt to be in snow in early June, and starting in late October. If you go then, bring your snowshoes.

What to expect? Until the first hard night freeze there will be mosquitoes. Come prepared and don't let that dissuade you. The first mile or so of the hike confronts you with the scarred remains of a 2003 wildfire. This may sound uninteresting, but it's not. To the contrary it is mystical and full of life, for out of the ashes has sprung new growth, some now 15 feet tall. The burned trees interspersed with live ones make for superb abstract photos. Try shooting in black and white with high contrast. Smartphones will let you convert the photos to interesting sepia or monochrome images right in the phone's software.

Flowers include rose spirea, rockcress, Sitka valerian, skyrocket, mountain paintbrush – mostly alongside the creek – and various aster. There are reports of huckleberry.

This is bear country which should not be a deterrent. The odds of seeing one are small. Birds are plentiful, but you must be alert.

As it is a loop trail you can go either direction. If you want the most uphill at the start and not the end, then go clockwise.

There are toilets at the trailhead.

Getting there

Drive west on Highway 20 for about 13.5 miles and take a right onto Jack Lake Road (Forest Service Road 12) and simply follow the signs. It's 3.7 miles on pavement then about seven miles on good dirt road. Unless there's snow, no four-wheel or all-wheel drive is needed.

What you'll need

You will need a $1 permit, a small price to pay for the sheer beauty. You must reserve at recreation.gov and carry them on your person. As mentioned, bug spray and as usual a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water are advised. Wear suitable footwear and if it gives you more comfort, carry bear spray.