Bob DenOuden's Pacific Northwesterner: A hiking weekend

Even the critters enjoyed the view from Tam McArthur Rim

I have been feeling alpine zone deprived lately. Outside of the Wallowas, Oregon has very little alpine due to a high tree line and relatively low elevations. There are a few spots near Bend to get to this zone easily, so we took advantage of an open weekend on our schedule and took a couple of hikes. First, it was the quick two mile hike to the top of Tumalo Mountain (7,775'). The top few hundred feet are an enjoyable stroll through krummholz, the stunted, wind-blown vegetation formed near tree line. This will not be a good wildflower year since it was so dry, but there were a few lupines and the summit retained some green grasses. The next day was a longer hike from Three Creeks Lake up Tam McArthur Rim and on to the flanks of Broken Hand (8,376'). Very pleasant rim roaming in the alpine zone is found here. Still too much snow for Maria to comfortably continue on to the hidden lake within Broken Top, but it is always good to leave something for later. Just what the doctor ordered! Good to be on some trails again.