The lower meadow flowers were past their prime but the hike is still interesting because of the varied terrain - burned forests with fresh undergrowth, flowers near creeks, ponds and lakes...
We passed the maintained section of the trail because the goal was the saddle viewpoint on Three Fingered Jack. The trail becomes steep at this point. Soon you are out on the rocks picking your way up mini switchbacks. Poles are helpful. We hiked up to the dip in the glacial moraine at the base of Jack and we could see down to Cirque Lake while Jack loomed in front of us. We continued on along the ridge of the moraine up to the saddle on user trails that crisscrossed everywhere. We took the most gradual ascent. :-) Reaching the saddle views opened up to the south and north - so beautiful. We explored all around up on the saddle and near by rocks before descending and taking a user trail to see a meadow absolutely filled with lupine. It was the biggest, densest lupine field ever. We continued on this trail until it connected with the mail trail, then continued back to the car on the main loop trail. Beautiful day enjoying God's creation!
About 8.5 mi and 2000 ft gain. map of Canyon Creek Meadows hike
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| Jack Lake |
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| entering the upper meadow |
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| on the glacial Moraine |
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| Cirque Lake |
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| heading towards the saddle |
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| looking back along the saddle |
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| Jefferson |
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| pano |
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| next destination was that rocky point right below Jack |
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| looking down at the lake |
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| next we wanted to check out the meadow |
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| full of flowers! |
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| ghost trees |
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