Today's destination: hiking to the top of Black Crater in the Central Cascades of Oregon. Here Black Crater is seen from the Dee Wright Observatory in the 65 square mile lava flow at McKenzie Pass.
Happy to have another hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness!
The hike to Black Crater is an 8.5 mile round trip with a 2,300 ft elevation gain.
The trail begins in the woods and begins climbing right away.
We did pass a large rock field which had this beautiful ripe berry bushes in it.
The forest thins out as the trail nears the top of Black Crater.
We crossed a couple of snow fields near the top. Mt Jefferson & Mt Hood seen in the far distance.
We were thrilled to pass through this beautiful meadow near the top of the crater. Hummingbirds and butterflies danced through the air.
Near the top of Black Crater.
Climbing up one of the two large mounds on top of Black Crater.
Climbing up the higher of the two mounds.
On the highest point of Black Crater!
From Black Crater looking south: Broken Top, South Sister, North Sister, and Middle Sister peeking over the shoulder of North Sister on the right.
Panorama south to north: Broken Top, South Sister, North & Middle Sister, Belknap Crater, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood
While we were on the top, we saw a thunderstorm over Broken Top, we hurried down the trail and were halfway down before the storm caught up with us.
Here are some of the wildflowers we saw on the mountain today:
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