Three Fingered Jack Loop

Begin this 2-3 day backpacking trek at the Santiam Pass trailhead off Highway 20, 31 miles east of Detroit and 21 miles west of Sisters, Oregon. You can begin the loop either north on the PCT or East on trail #4014 towards Square Lake (as it is a loop) I would recommend heading east. It's a 2.2 mile hike through the surreal burned forest with mountain views till you reach square lake, which is the first of at least 4 incredibly beautiful lakes you will encounter on this loop. The trail then shifts north leading you past Booth Lake and continuing 5.6 miles towards Jack Lake.

Campsites can be found anywhere along the trail, I recommend setting up near one of the lakes as their excellent places to refill water and cool off if it's warm. If it happens to be a new moon try and set up camp with a clear view south to take in the vivid Central Oregon milky way at night.

Once past Jack Lake, hike 2 miles into Canyon Creek Meadows; a beautiful green meadow sitting at the foot of the north face of Three Fingered Jack. If you happen to be in meadow at the right time of the summer you will be greeted by millions of wildflowers in bloom. From the meadow you can follow a trail up onto the east ridge of Three Fingered Jack where you find a Glacial Lake along with breathtaking views of 6 mountain peaks to the north and Mt Jefferson to the south. I recommend staying a night in the meadow and being able to catch a sunrise in the meadow.

From the meadow you have two options:

1. Follow the main trail out of the canyon for nearly 4 miles till it hits the PCT at Wasco lake. Follow the PCT south for 10 miles at which point you find yourself back at the Santiam Pass trailhead.

2. Cut west cross country following a loosely defined trail up the ridge a 1600' elevation climb to the PCT, this route cuts 4 miles from your trek and can save a couple hours time. Once on the PCT head south 6 miles back to the trailhead.

Some people choose to do the loop in a day but I definitely recommend spending at least one night on the trail in order to give yourself the opportunity to relax and take in this unique Central Oregon landscape.

My Route:
Day 1: Arrived 6:30 PM, hiked roughly 4 miles to Booth Lake and set up camp on its shore at 8:00.
Day 2: Started at 8:50 AM hiked 6-7 miles into Canyon Creek Meadow set up camp by 12:00 PM, spent the afternoon exploring the ridge line.
Day 3: Headed out of the meadow at 8:00 AM, went directly up the ridge to the PCT, reached it by 8:45 and back to the car by 11:45 AM