It wasn’t an alpine start, but I did wake up earlier than normal, excited about the day ahead. We were camped at the trailhead for the South Sisters Climbing Trail. 6 miles and 5000′ up was the top of the volcano, one we have been looking at, and riding around, for the last 3 weeks. It also happens to be the highest point in either Lane or Deschutes County.
Today was, in some ways, the culmination and grand finale of the loop. I don’t know that everyone that rides this route will want to climb the Sister, but who knows, perhaps some will. It’s not too far of a side trip, and there’s free bike-in camping at the trailhead.
We ditched our bikes in the woods and got to it.
Steep through the trees. Talking about all sorts of bikepacking drama that has occurred while we’ve been out here. Trees give way to pumice flats. The mountain is staring down at us, towering over us. Lots of like-minded folks climbing with us. I am glad we’ve been hiking and running throughout the trip.
Scrambles uneasily to the rim of a turquoise lake, the exit of a glacier, looking pretty small and weak this year. We hit the smoke line, and can smell it, feel it. Steeper trail, and loose. Pumice and gravel everywhere. Sliding steps. Deep breaths.
Red rock, more sliding. Everyone is stopping.
The top? Already? I’m used to the effort and time it takes to climb such elevations on bike, not unloaded on foot. Wahoooo!
We walk around the crater. Talk with others, mostly with a PCT section hiker that detoured to make the climb. Smoke seems to be clearing somewhat. We make the descent. Soft and sliding, it’s easy on the joints, but long, very long. Several stops to empty our shoes of sand, rock and dust.
The heat of a 100 degree day settles in. I drain the last of my water, and dream of the ice cold stream right next to camp, and the redemption it will bring. I dream of the lake, too, and the drop in core temperature it will bring.
We’re both really sad that this trip is ending. It has gone so well and been so enjoyable out there. We’re so lucky with how everything went, and how it all came together. But, we did what we set out to do. Nothing nearby is really calling us for side trips. It’s killer hot, and the smoke moving in from southern Oregon kind of seals the deal.
First we rolled down to Elk Lake, some 4 miles downhill, for a celebratory dinner and a few supplies. Wow, it’s a zoo down there (everyone is trying to escape the heat), but the food was good. We also got a little bit of charging, while sitting in the stifling heat of the restaurant.
Tomorrow, last day. So sad. We pedal back up to the loop proper and descend Mrazek back to town and to our van.
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