As reported, the Canyon Creek bridge is out (completely gone), but this time of year is an easy ford. Since the crossing is within the first 1/2 mile, I brought a spare pair of tennis shoes for the crossing, and stashed them in the trees on the other side. I crossed about 100 yards upstream of the old bridge. Crossing here avoids dealing with the giant rootball landslide across from the old bridge. Water was shin deep with a couple knee deep spots through gently moving water. Hooked into the Jackita Ridge trail immediately on the other side.
The Jackita Ridge trail is fairly off/on brushy for the first 1.5 miles or so, but cleans up after that. Several blowdowns along the way, but nothing crazy. The trail all the way up to the Crater Lake junction although full of switchbacks is very smooth and well-graded. The waterfall creek crossing before the junction is easily crossed over logs/rocks. Tons of ripe blueberries along the way.
At the unmarked Crater Lake junction I split left and 25 minutes later was at the lake. Not much of a lake, in fact it’s so shallow, that filtering water at the outlet was kinda warm. Nevertheless, I hydrated and filtered 7 extra liters as I was headed up to camp high on the southern arm of Crater Mountain where there would be no water sources other than a few snow patches.
The trail continues past the south shore of Crater Lake. A little rocky and brushy in spots but obvious. At about 6800’ the grade mellows out with views of the glacier clad North Cascades peaks to the west, and the dry barren peaks of the Pasayten Wilderness to the east. It’s quite the dramatic contrast.
Set up camp just above 7k’ and got the feeling I was being watched. I turned around and about 50 yards uphill was a large black bear checking me out. We locked eyes for a few moments before it took off bounding up the hill and out of view.
The night was fairly miserable with sustained 20-25mph winds gusting over 30. Felt like the tent was gonna rip outta the ground at any moment. At 6am it started raining sideways with no letup in the wind. The weather forecast had called for improving conditions though, so I dug in, hopeful, hunkering down in the tent.
Day 2 - After the brief weather delay, the rain finally let up around 11am and I headed out exploring the southern ridge. Walked over to a cliff overlooking Crater Lake when a huge osprey-like raptor dive-bombed a marmot running to its burrow. The bird plunged its talons into the hole appearing to have snared it tugging up/down flapping its wings several times before finally flying away empty-clawed. The marmot popped out of its hole right after, looking like nothing happened. Maybe it was a game they play.
Skies continued clearing so I headed up to climb Crater Mountain. From what I heard, the route was no more than exposed class 3. But the crux in my opinion, was mainly staying on-route and following the yellow painted X-marks leftover from the old lookout days. Some of these painted marks are fairly obvious, while others not so much.
The scramble starts at gully prominently marked by a white downscoping ribbon of white rock, and the first yellow-painted “X”. It’s pretty hard to miss if you’re looking for it. From there it’s just a matter of keeping your eyes out for the X-marks and/or a few scattered cairns. It’s definitely an airy scramble with some fun face-in ledges and ramps to tiptoe across. Overall, it was easier to stay on route than I was expecting. Those with fears of heights would not be happy here.
After the scramble section, a mellow trail appears for the delightful last 1/4 mile to the summit. Views are exceptional, primarily of Jack Mountain (right next to you), the silty blue jewel that is Lake 6380 (Devils Lake?) north of Crater East Peak, and circle of numerous other N. Cascades & Pasayten Peaks. After savoring the scenery for awhile, I headed back down, made dinner and crashed.
Day 3 - Woke up to clear skies, calm winds and a spectacular sunrise. Packed up camp and moved down to the rocky ridge just above Crater Lake planning for a full day hiking out to Jerry Lakes and back.
Left Crater Lake at 10am for the former Lookout #2 site. Trail starts at the obvious unmarked junction just before the lake. It’s a little brushy/fragmented, and doesn’t follow the GPS-indicated route I had (all trails), but is pretty intuitive.
Views at the Lookout #2 site are excellent. I would have spent more time here if I had less on my agenda for sure. So after a quick 10-minute break I headed north/northwest around the ridge looking for an easy way down the cliffy section towards Lake 6380. Boot paths here are fragmented at best, but I finally found a way that worked. Basically about 100’ of c3 path through steep trees, rocks & dirt.
This popped me out into a steep scree boot path so must be a typical route I assume. Headed down to Lake 6380 over mainly rocky cross-country travel. This lake and its setting are spectacular. Waterfalls, cliffs, glaciers, icebergs, towering peaks, etc. Quintessential alpine. And well worth the effort to get to.
I refilled water here, and continued on, contouring west towards the obvious saddle dividing the 2 basins. So much hydrologic activity in this area with Jerry Glacier just above.
The way soon becomes rockier though, with no discernible path through. I found a cairn here/there, which I thought was pretty hilarious given the amount of rockfall in the area. Rocks on top of rocks on top of rocks everywhere you looked. Pretty unpleasant travel, but I kept my eyes ahead looking for a sign of trail/bootpath that would take me up to the saddle.
Eventually, a pathway emerged and soon I was atop the saddle looking down on Jerry Lakes and their scenic setting. I could see trails down near the lakes, but no obvious way to get to them. So I went straight down over rocky slabs and scree. Halfway down the trail appeared and found myself in a fairytale setting of larches and lakes. Made it to middle Jerry Lake and then upper lake where I refilled water again while watching trout rising in the crystal clear shallows. I’ve heard this place is a hot spot for fishing and I can see why.
Didn’t linger long as I was reaching my turnaround time, so began the trek back retracing my route. Along the way I stopped for a quick swim and cooled off in a beautiful tarn. With the glacier melting into it only feet away, it wasn’t too warm. Perfect for recharging though, and just what I needed.
Continued on to the shores of Lake 6380 one last time. Had a quick snack, filled up on water, and made my way back to camp just before sunset.
Day 4 - Woke up at sunrise, ate breakfast and headed down. Retrieved my shoes I stashed in the trees, but this time just booted straight across the river and to the parking lot, putting a bow on a fun, diverse trip with thankfully (mostly) good weather and lots of solitude.
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