John Muir Trail - southern portion

Bench Lake and Arrow Peak

I spent nine days backpacking the southern section of the John Muir Trail this august.  We entered through Taboose Pass, with its 6.000 feet of elevation gain in eight miles, and exited at Trail Crest and Mt Whitney, with a 6,000+ foot descent.  In between was probably the most sublime alpine scenery I have every experienced, with the possible exception of the Wind River Range.  Perfect weather and incredible scenery at every turn, truly a spectacular backpacking trip.  Standing atop Mt Whitney and looking 10,000 feet straight down the east side desert is something I've always wanted to do.  Every step of the way this backpack was great.  Wow. 

Rae Lakes

From Mt Whitney

Looking back up toward Whitney

Newberry Caldera

The Big Obsidian Flow

This past weekend I discovered that our Bend place is a six minute drive from the boundary of Newberry Caldera National Volcanic Monument, which is pretty cool.  And it is a gem of a place.  We spent a Saturday up there, starting with a hike along the Big Obsidian Flow, then a hike up to the Caldera Rim from East Lake, and finally a pleasant afternoon spent on the shores of East Lake.  We swam in the lake, visited the turn-of-the-century East Lake Lodge, and lounged on the sandy shores enjoying the beautiful sunny day at 6,400 feet.  There is a mountain bikable trail circumnavigating the entire caldera rim, which must be done.  Soon.

View down to East Lake from the caldera rim

Bend to Eugene - the long way

The family poses in front of the North and Middle Sister at McKenzie Pass

 

Over the previous weekend, Maria, William and I had driven over to Bend.  We had a fantastic time - doing Bend stuff.  Maria had decided to spend the week over there and I, not wanting to bring two vehicles for the three of us, decided I would bike home to Eugene from the top of McKenzie Pass.  William had not been to the pass, which is one of my favorite places in the world, since he was a baby.  So we drove up Sunday morning, enjoyed some time at Dee Wright Observatory in the utter stillness of the Belknap lava fields, then I took off west while Maria and William headed back east to Bend.  It was an epic downhill on the fresh, narrow asphalt of old Hwy 242 - like bike riding in a national park except nobody else was around.  After dropping 3,000 feet to the main highway at McKenzie Bridge, I then re-joined the real world and made my way home, a total ride of 86 miles.  I don't need to ride the lower stretch again, particularly not on a 95 degree day with a strong headwind, but I will ride the old road again.  Next time I will ride UP it (after bombing down it).  Too much fun.  It is truly a treat to live in the Pacific Northwest.