Trekks and Travels: Broken Top Semi-Loop Backpack 20-23 July 2015

Andrea, Mike and I hiked a semi-loop around Broken Top. We kept the mileage low and explored each area without the packs. The trip was most enjoyable at this pace. We headed out via Soda creek to the Broken Top TH. We camped at the junction with the "unmaintained trail" - actually just before you cross the creek and see the sign. There was a nice spot up on a little hill. When we arrived in the late afternoon there were a few people still coming down from the Broken Top tarn, but the foot traffic soon ended and we had the place to ourselves.
The next morning we packed up early and stashed the packs so we could get to the tarn before anyone else arrived and so we could take advantage of the morning light on the mountain. It was a crisp and clear morning, so beautiful! On our way we met two women who had camped up there for the night so they could shoot photos of the stars. The stars had been amazing that night - the Milky Way was so prominent that you couldn't even make out a constellation!
The tarn was beautiful in the morning light. We hiked up to the ridge to enjoy the view and a snack. At 10a we headed down and met the first hikers coming up. That day we hiked to Green Lakes and camped in sitet 11 overlooking the lakes and between Broken Top and South Sister. The morning light on those lakes was beautiful too! We didn't rush as we didn't have far to go to Golden Lake.
Arriving at Golden we were setting up camp when we were surprised by a ranger who quizzed us on our knowledge of backpacking procedures, and wanted to see our permit. We were the only ones there too!
We rested, Mike swam, enjoyed the views, then went up to investigate the tarns before dinner. We hiked all the way to the moraine which cuts off your view of the tarns from the ridge we were on the day before. We watched rocks falling off Broken Top in huge dust clouds. We also found two campsites tucked back there.
It was our last night and the weather had turned cooler (30's the night before as well) so we put the rainflies on the tents. The wind blew all night with some major gusts! The ranger had said a front was coming. We were warm enough with the flies on though. The next day we got going relatively early and hiked out via the Green Lakes trail and made it to the car by 2:30p and finished up with a nice lunch in Bend. Wonderful trip! So blessed to be able to do this with them. :-)

33 total miles, 25 mi with packs, 4 days, 3 nights, 6300ft gain
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