Backcountry Trail Run - Three Fingered Jack/South Ridge

A fair number of cars in the Santiam Pass PCT parking lot on the sunny Saturday of our trip- but we did not see many people on the trail. Mostly we saw people camped at the lakes and a few equestrians. The parking lot is large and has a sort of gross outhouse. About 20 miles from Sisters, Oregon. Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent required. For day trips from this trailhead (PCT Santiam Pass) you must also self-issue a Central Cascades Wilderness permit. Overnight trips here also require a permit but you must obtain it online in advance June-October. See:  https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675311

Note that other Oregon Central Cascades trailheads require a permit obtained in advance for day use June-October, not just for overnight use— and you cannot self-issue those at the trailhead. See:  https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/300009

The PCT is very well maintained and pleasant for the first 8-9 miles. Initially you pass through a burn zone with sandy ashy soil and no trees for shade - we were glad to get through this part in the morning coolness before the sun was high, and there were still pockets of shade. 

The trail then enters a more forested zone and then scree fields below the west face of Three Fingered Jack. This section was jaw dropping! Gorgeous and would make a good if long day hike. You then climb up and over a small ridgeline which you descend on sharp switchbacks on loose gravelly scree. Fantastic views of Three Fingered Jack abound. See picture above!

However, once you continue on you will enter a burn zone north of the mountain on the PCT. Here there are numerous blowdowns that are tricky to navigate and get over/around since the whole area is littered with downed trees and debris. This section chewed up a lot of time for us.

The debris and blowdowns finally petered out close to the Minto Pass junction.

The trail was clear and well maintained from Wasco Lake to a little ways (maybe a mile) past Jack Lake. Then the trail was encroached upon by woody madrona bushes whose tough, woody branches scratched at arms and legs and were rather unyielding! The trail again entered a burn zone and the rolling terrain  again was sun-baked, no real shade, lots of bleached dead trees and the sandy ashy soil, creating clouds of dust as we ran.

There are no water sources on the west side so we planned to run the approximately 10-11 miles to Wasco Lake and fill up there, then rely upon Canyon Creek, Jack Lake, and other lakes and ponds for water during the remainder of our loop. This plan worked well but some of the unnamed ponds on the map were mere muddy brackish pools that were very unappealing. The larger lakes were fine water sources.