Published September 20, 2013 03:10PM
While most of this route is in a quiet conifer forest, a few spots open up to head-spinning views. The best: the string of volcanoes visible from 9,495-foot Mt. McLoughlin (via a 3.5-mile side trail) and 7,582-foot Devils Peak (via a .5-mile spur). Ditch the PCT in two spots for more-scenic parallel trails. One is Red Lake Trail 987, which leads to secluded campsites above Island and Dee Lakes; the other is Sky Lakes Trail 3762. And add a day or two for a side loop on the Isherwood Trail to fish for rainbows at Lake Notasha, swim in Elizabeth and Isherwood Lakes, and camp above Heavenly Twin Lake. Late summer has fewer bugs and ripe huckleberries.
PCT1147
Location: 42.3957824707031, -122.291435241699
From OR 140, head NE on PCT. Side trip: Hitch L to visit restaurant at Fish Lake Resort 2 mi. away
PCT1148
Location: 42.3965492248535, -122.289970397949
Cross a nicely-flowing creek
PCT1149
Location: 42.431884765625, -122.26171875
Go L @ trail jct.
PCT1150
Location: 42.4335823059082, -122.268699645996
Keep straight @ jct. with spur leading to Freye Lake
PCT1151
Location: 42.4716987609863, -122.280166625977
Stay straight; N tip of Fourmile Lake stretches out to the E
PCT1152
Location: 42.5056343078613, -122.253967285156
Pass Christi’s Spring
PCT1153
Location: 42.5137672424316, -122.230751037598
Stay straight on official PCT. Worthy alternate: Bear L onto Red Lake Trail to travel alongside many scenic lakes; only 0.1 mi. longer than the official trail
PCT1154
Location: 42.5387153625488, -122.241218566895
Set up camp at Red Lake
PCT1155
Location: 42.5490684509277, -122.229835510254
Stay straight; Red Lake Trail rejoins the PCT
PCT1156
Location: 42.5580177307129, -122.218803405762
Bear L to stay on PCT, which travels the ridge above this lake-filled area. Scenic alternate: Follow Sky Lakes side trail to the NE past small lakes with abundant campsites; a fair amount of ups and downs
PCT1157
Location: 42.641918182373, -122.211982727051
Stay straight @ jct. where Sky Lakes Trail meets up with PCT; savor views of Lucifer from the Devils Peak shoulder
PCT1158
Location: 42.6489677429199, -122.207466125488
Cross creek with nice camp
PCT1159
Location: 42.6536827087402, -122.205047607422
Creek crossing
PCT1160
Location: 42.6575164794922, -122.206581115723
Creek crossing
PCT1161
Location: 42.6543502807617, -122.211715698242
Cross creek
PCT1162
Location: 42.6563682556152, -122.213752746582
Go R @ Seven Lakes Trail jct.
PCT1163
Location: 42.6575508117676, -122.212333679199
Cross creek
PCT1164
Location: 42.6638832092285, -122.208801269531
Go straight; Seven Lakes Trail enters from the L
PCT1165
Location: 42.6684341430664, -122.201286315918
Cross Honeymoon Creek
PCT1166
Location: 42.6831817626953, -122.172317504883
Stay straight @ jct. with Sevenmile Trail