Day 4- Opie Dillock Pass

9/30/15  The last 9 or 10 miles up and over Opie Dillock Pass and back to the Lava Camp trailhead, with a side trip up the Yapoah Crater along the way. End to another amazing journey.
DSC02789 Another beautiful forest campsite. Up and at 'em for my last day on the trail.
Another beautiful forest campsite. Up and at 'em for my last day on the trail.
DSC02796 Back on the trail by 9:00am. Today would be dominated by fantastic North Sister views.
Back on the trail by 9:00am. Today would be dominated by fantastic North Sister views.
DSC02794 And equally excellent views of the Belknap Crater, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and Mt. Jefferson. With lava terrain in the foreground.
And equally excellent views of the Belknap Crater, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and Mt. Jefferson. With lava terrain in the foreground.
DSC02800 This is definitely my favorite part of the loop. Having never hiked through this sort of lava rock terrain, I find it fascinating. Note the setting moon still...
This is definitely my favorite part of the loop. Having never hiked through this sort of lava rock terrain, I find it fascinating. Note the setting moon still…
DSC02805 The trail ascending through the lava flow.
The trail ascending through the lava flow.
DSC02807 Almost up to Opie Dilldock Pass. Definitely the first time I've climbed lava rock switchbacks.
Almost up to Opie Dilldock Pass. Definitely the first time I've climbed lava rock switchbacks.
DSC02811 Near the top of the pass looking back down the switchbacks. It's much (much) steeper than it looks here. Also a good view all the way down the lava flow. And...
Near the top of the pass looking back down the switchbacks. It's much (much) steeper than it looks here. Also a good view all the way down the lava flow. And…
DSC02815 The trail here is loose, handball-sized lava rocks. Tough on the ankles. Dr. Rock probably wouldn't have liked this section.
The trail here is loose, handball-sized lava rocks. Tough on the ankles. Dr. Rock probably wouldn't have liked this section.
DSC02828 Made it to Opie Dilldock Pass. At just under 7,000', it's the highest point on the loop.
Made it to Opie Dilldock Pass. At just under 7,000', it's the highest point on the loop.
DSC02826 Another great view from the pass.
Another great view from the pass.
DSC02825 This spot is definitely high on my all-time
This spot is definitely high on my all-time "pictures just don't do it justice" list. The peaks look like something from the Alps, except with lava rock in the…
DSC02829 Looking down the Ahalapham Cinder Field. Just imagine the molten lava flowing here thousands of years ago.
Looking down the Ahalapham Cinder Field. Just imagine the molten lava flowing here thousands of years ago.
MAH02824 360 video from Opie Dilldock Pass. For best performance, you can watch the video on YouTube .
360 video from Opie Dilldock Pass.

For best performance, you can watch the video on YouTube.
DSC02835 Heading down the other side of the pass. It would be a steady elevation drop for most the rest of the day.
Heading down the other side of the pass. It would be a steady elevation drop for most the rest of the day.
DSC02836 I can't get enough of this view.
I can't get enough of this view.
DSC02844 Continuing North on the PCT. I have to remember to look behind me occasionally for more great views of the North and Middle Sister. I actually saw a human in...
Continuing North on the PCT. I have to remember to look behind me occasionally for more great views of the North and Middle Sister. I actually saw a human in…
DSC02846 Here you can perfectly see North Sister, Middle Sister, Little Brother (to the right), and Collier Cone (in front).
Here you can perfectly see North Sister, Middle Sister, Little Brother (to the right), and Collier Cone (in front).
DSC02849 Coming up to the Yapoah Crater. That faint little line up the side is someone's use trail. Who would be dumb enough to try that? Uh, rhetorical question...
Coming up to the Yapoah Crater. That faint little line up the side is someone's use trail. Who would be dumb enough to try that? Uh, rhetorical question...
DSC02869 I'm ahead of schedule for the day, so I ditch my pack, and start up the
I'm ahead of schedule for the day, so I ditch my pack, and start up the "trail". I figure I can spare about an hour for a side trip to the top and back.
DSC02851 Here you see the
Here you see the "trail" traversing the crater wall. It's like walking up a hill of big marbles, with each step starting a mini-avalanche. It was a little nerve…