Day 3- Wickiup Plains

9/29/15  Around 15 miles over the Wickiup Plains, past Reese Lake, and then through the Obsidian Limited Entry area, before stopping below Opie Dillock Pass for the night.
DSC02665 It was a warm enough night (low 40s) that I was able to sleep with the rainfly off. There was an exceptionally bright moon, and due to my backpacking induced...
It was a warm enough night (low 40s) that I was able to sleep with the rainfly off. There was an exceptionally bright moon, and due to my backpacking induced…
DSC02668 Morning view of the South Sister. As I hit the trail around 9:00am, I'm definitely feeling the extra 5lbs or so of weight I took on from Dr. Rock's pack...
Morning view of the South Sister. As I hit the trail around 9:00am, I'm definitely feeling the extra 5lbs or so of weight I took on from Dr. Rock's pack…
DSC02671 A big family of nine deer walking across the Wickiup Plains. At this point, the trail starts heading North to join up with the PCT.
A big family of nine deer walking across the Wickiup Plains. At this point, the trail starts heading North to join up with the PCT.
DSC02679 Looking back across the barren Wickiup Plains, which are technically a pumice plain. The miles seem longer when the trail is long and straight like this.
Looking back across the barren Wickiup Plains, which are technically a pumice plain. The miles seem longer when the trail is long and straight like this.
DSC02681 Edge of the Rock Mesa, the result of a huge lava flow from one of the South Sister eruptions, the most recent of which was 2,000 years ago. It's amazing how...
Edge of the Rock Mesa, the result of a huge lava flow from one of the South Sister eruptions, the most recent of which was 2,000 years ago. It's amazing how…
DSC02683 Some nice meadows along the forest that would probably be green earlier in the year.
Some nice meadows along the forest that would probably be green earlier in the year.
DSC02685 The trail dips in and out of the forest on nice single track. The trail is rolling up-and-down for most of the day. Never terribly steep, but definitely...
The trail dips in and out of the forest on nice single track. The trail is rolling up-and-down for most of the day. Never terribly steep, but definitely…
DSC02688 An interesting forest spot, very dense but young.
An interesting forest spot, very dense but young.
DSC02691 I'm officially on the PCT now, and will be for the next 20+ miles. I hit the first water since Moraine Lake last night. I'm worried that timing water for...
I'm officially on the PCT now, and will be for the next 20+ miles. I hit the first water since Moraine Lake last night. I'm worried that timing water for…
DSC02696 More goregous single track. You could probaly spend a lifetime fully exploring the trail system in Central Oregon. I definitely see why it's such a hotspot for...
More goregous single track. You could probaly spend a lifetime fully exploring the trail system in Central Oregon. I definitely see why it's such a hotspot for…
DSC02699 A small, unnamed, but scenic lake along the way.
A small, unnamed, but scenic lake along the way.
DSC02700 The Husband to the West. There is also a Wife and Little Brother elsewhere.
The Husband to the West. There is also a Wife and Little Brother elsewhere.
DSC02704 First views of the valley to the West towards the Willamette National Forest.
First views of the valley to the West towards the Willamette National Forest.
DSC02709 Middle Sister, also known as
Middle Sister, also known as "Hope". Probably the most volcanic looking of the sisters, although South Sister does have a small crater on top.
DSC02712 Still have great views of South Sister, also known as
Still have great views of South Sister, also known as "Charity".
DSC02721 Reese Lake in front of South Sister. Another incredibly clear lake.
Reese Lake in front of South Sister. Another incredibly clear lake.
DSC02722 I'm not sure what these plants are, but they are very prevalent in this area, and make for some amazing color contrasts.
I'm not sure what these plants are, but they are very prevalent in this area, and make for some amazing color contrasts.
DSC02723 A smattering of red plants in the meadow.
A smattering of red plants in the meadow.
DSC02726 Carpet of red and green.
Carpet of red and green.
DSC02728 Some of the last full views of South Sister.
Some of the last full views of South Sister.