Three Sisters Wilderness — Saturday, Sep. 18, 1999

I couldn't resist this gorgeous fall weather to continue my exploration of the Pacfic Crest Trail, this time in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Saturday afternoon I drove Hwy 58 and turned left on the Waldo Lake Road and camped at the Harrelson Horse Camp trail head. There was a delightful couple there who were volunteers for the US Forest Service. It was nice to have someone to visit with. I began at 6:20 AM and arrived at the PCT in 40 minutes, where I turned north. I was unaware that there had been a forest fire in the area in 1996, so for 90 minutes I hiked through an eery ghost forest. It was refreshing to see green trees again starting about a mile south of Irish Lake. I arrived at the lake about 8 AM just in time for breakfast. I signed in for my hiking permit at the wilderness border, and continued north. The goal was the junction of the PCT and Elk Creek Trails, where I had left off last summer coming south. I passed several lakes in route. At Brahma Lake there were a couple pairs of merganser ducks. There were still a few mosquitoes. The trail was either sandy or covered with soft forest duff--very easy on the feet and not too much elevation gain. I was pleased to reach my destination at 12:15 after covering 14 miles. I ate lunch on the same log as last year, and then started back, enjoying the warm afternoon sun. When I arrived back to Irish Lake about 4:30 I decided to walk Road 600 and then 514 back to Waldo Lake (and my vehicle). I was hoping to avoid the bleak trek through the burn. But the road soon entered the devastation too. I was sort of hoping someone would come along I could hitch a ride with, but no one was in the area. I finally reentered green forest again about 10 minutes before emerging at the campground. It took about half an hour longer to walk by road than it had by trail. I have a new philosophy of forest fires after the experience. Why don't we go in there and replant' After 29 miles I was delighted to arrive at my van about 6:45 PM.