Home Pacific Crest Trail PCT: Mount Jefferson

PCT: Mount Jefferson

by Lisa

Day 9
Breitenbush Lake to Shale Lake – 16.9 miles

It had been a few days since I’d stood on Mount Hood and I was ready to enjoy the scenery around another of Oregon’s peaks – Mount Jefferson. I’d face some unique challenges before the day was out.

I couldn’t help but dawdle a bit in the morning with the hikers I’d met the day before. I knew that once I left I likely wouldn’t see them again as they were only going a handful of miles before taking a side trail west. How is it that bonds form so quickly in the wilderness?

Volcanic buttes and rock above Breitenbush Lake
Snow fields below Park Ridge

Of course I faced my first challenge of the day within the first few miles. The trail climbed steeply from Breitenbush Lake to reach a saddle. Then the trail followed the hillside further up to a rocky and snowy bowl. I had a mile or so of tromping through the snow. Thankfully there was a decent boot path to follow and it was cool enough to avoid too much post holing. With one final steep push I reached Park Ridge and stood proudly at 6,900 feet. South of me lay the obscured peak of Mount Jefferson and the lake and meadow basin below it.

Cloud-covered Mount Jefferson

The descent from the ridge took me down to the basin at the foot of the mountain. I meandered past the wet meadows and followed a side trail to one of the clear alpine lakes where I sat and enjoyed my lunch. Clouds still roiled around the mountain and I was teased with a couple almost-views of the peak.

Russell Lake below Mount Jefferson
My view for my lunch break at Scout Lake

After lunch I had another challenge to face – a glacial creek ford. The creek wasn’t very wide but it was flowing very fast on it’s steep descent from one of the glaciers on Mount Jefferson. It was also very rocky and silty. I was by myself when I arrived at the creek and wanted to wait for someone else to show up, both as moral support and to help in case something went wrong. While waiting I scouted out the best place to cross and repacked my bag so everything was tucked safely inside.

Thankfully I didn’t have to wait too long for a hiker to come down the trail from the south side. I crossed pretty easily under his watchful eye and then offered to stay until he had safely crossed as well.

Russell Creek crossing

Turned out he was quite nervous about fording the river as he’d never had to before. I ended up offering my help, linking arms with him to help him cross, then crossing back to the south shore again. In the end I’d crossed the creek three times over! It was certainly refreshing.

The next couple miles wound downhill through a burnt forest. The trail was a mix of sand and ash and the early afternoon sun was hot overhead. I wound back in and out of green forest and burnt forest and was then deposited at another glacier creek. This time Instead of being a ford, the creek was under yards of snow and debris from an avalanche. It was quite a sight!

Miles of burnt forest
Snow, ice and debris covering a creek

Naturally, on the PCT what goes down must then go up! The rest of my miles that day were a gradual and constant ascent through sweet-smelling forest. After hiking so much in burnt forest it seemed like the forest was so lush and verdant. Best of all the bear grass was all blossoming, imparting its unique and captivating scent.

Blossoming bear grass

After some huffing and puffing I arrived at Shale Lake, a beautiful alpine lake under the south face of Mount Jefferson. Surprisingly I had the place entirely to myself. I wouldn’t have minded a bit of company but I certainly enjoyed the beauty and silence of the location. I enjoyed a nice dinner and watched the light change on the mountain and lake before snuggling into my tent to escape the ever-present mosquitoes.

Still and calm Shale Lake

2 comments

Josy A September 16, 2019 - 1:18 pm

Wooooow for those almost views! I love that you helped someone with their first time crossing a stream. They must have been sooo glad you were there. I guess that shows why connections you make in the mountains become deep so fast. It’s nice to rely on people, and be relied on. We don’t have many chances for that in normal everyday life.

p.s. I love the look of that Bear grass! Does it have a smell? It looks sooo fluffy and pretty!

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Eaton Lake - Hikes near Hope - A walk and a lark July 9, 2021 - 8:24 am

[…] with Lisa, the West Coast Hiker Girl, who has hiked several sections of the PCT, including some tough sounding creek crossings. Lisa told us to face up the river, in a line (with the strongest person at the front, taking the […]

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