Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

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TwoPaw
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Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by TwoPaw » August 19th, 2013, 9:27 pm

Took the user trail up to Broken Top lake.

Two ways to do this. Take what Sullivan describes as the "worst dirt road in Oregon" up to Broken Top TH, a grinding half hour crawl each way from the Hwy., or start at Todd Lake. I chose the former.

7am: I head up Todd Trail which starts double track, then narrows down to a well pounded single track through pleasant woods. Soon tho, views open up under a deep blue sky and continued the rest of the hike. A couple of giant deer bounded ahead on the trail. Next I connected to Soda Creek, then Broken Top trail passing some neat springs. The grade was relentlessly gentle but I didn't mind it was such a beautiful day to be out.

I headed up to the lake itself semi cross country, then met up with the actual "user" trail which looks like a regular pathway; at 10am I hit the lake and had a very early lunch. Afterwards I climbed up a little further to Broken Saddle for a super view.

Pics the best I could do with my ancient iPhone. More stunning than it looks here.
Attachments
BrokenTopPano2.jpg
BrokenTopLakepano.jpg

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Peder
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by Peder » August 19th, 2013, 11:21 pm

Beautiful! No wonder Sullivan is proud of that destination! He kept it "secret" til this edition of the guidebook and, as I recall, this is where he proposed to his wife.
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TwoPaw
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by TwoPaw » August 20th, 2013, 6:38 am

I haven't seen the new Sullivan book but did read this online:
http://projects.registerguard.com/web/s ... e.html.csp

And there's an error in my report, I took the "latter" or longer option. Given how special this spot is I'm hoping the road is closed someday to give this jewel a little more buffer from civilization.

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Guy
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by Guy » August 20th, 2013, 4:31 pm

Heading down that way in a few days, this is now top of the list for that trip!

Thanks
hiking log & photos.
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Crusak
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by Crusak » August 20th, 2013, 8:49 pm

Nice choice on avoiding that road up to the Broken Top TH. We drove that road last fall, and it was brutal.

Great pano shots! Sitting inside the crater of Broken Top is a mind-blowing experience. Thanks for sharing yours.
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anne37
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by anne37 » August 21st, 2013, 12:06 am

That is literally the worst road I have ever seen outside of Hawaii. It's almost comical how difficult that trail is to get to versus how easy it is once you're there. And worth every second of it! One of the best (if not the best) hikes in Oregon, IMO.

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Krystle
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by Krystle » August 21st, 2013, 10:06 am

Wow. This looks incredible! Thanks for sharing.

What was the total mileage round trip?

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TwoPaw
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Re: Broken Top Lake - Aug 19 - Three Sisters Wilderness

Post by TwoPaw » August 21st, 2013, 5:58 pm

Total round trip a little over 14 miles. The easy grade makes for a fast pace.

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