Three Sisters Wilderness

In retrospect, we did not know that this will be the last weekend that we could successfully camp in Oregon.  Around that time, Oregon begins it long 5 month rainy season.

Barely settled into our new home of Eugene, we embarked to the Cascade Range, home to the Three Sisters volcanic peaks, about an hour and half east for an extended weekend due to the plumbing issues at Martha's new job (seriously not my fault).  With most of our adventures, we had no expectations, just a weekend in solitude.

Our first hike was Little Belknap Crater.  Hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail following a lava flow path to the source, a throat shaped cave at Little Belknap.  Along the way we passed lava bombs (large chunks of molten rock) and pressure ridges and it was amazing to see the two distinct different landscapes of molten rock and forested islands left in the aftermath of the eruption.  The hike was slightly slower than expected, since the path consisted of sharp and jagged lava rocks.

Where's Martha?

Little Belknap

Put the nap at Belknap

After taking a sunbathing break, we proceeded to the Belknap Crater.  There were two paths up to the Crater, gradual elevation gain and longer mileage, or steep and shorter, we chose the latter.  When I say we, I really meant me, with Martha verbally abusing me all the way up.  The path went for hard molten lava, to soft sandy sand, making the hike a different type of difficult.

Helloooooo?

Eventually making it to the top, we had a gorgeous view of Mt. Washington and faint view of North and Middle Sister Peak, along with another snack and sunbathing break. 

North and Middle Sister

Belknap Crater

 We returned to camp and rewarded ourselves for a good hiking day with mucho food.

The next day we went to Clear Lake and rented a row boat where I became Martha's indentured rowing servant.  Perhaps revenge for the day before hiking choice.

Pop-Art!

Gorgeous place, unfortunately with the weather, we were not able to return here for the rest of our Eugene assignment.