The trail to Tipsoo Peak is a classic for the
views. The hike itself is not all that much,
a mild 3 miles from the trailhead to the peak
But, oh the things you can see. Below Tipsoo
is a pumice plain sweeping up to a jagged ridge
with jagged Howlock right behind, and Mt Thielsen
is also quite prominent. Look more westerly
and you have Diamond Lake with Mt Bailey.
Look north and you have the beginning of the North
Umpqua at Maidu Lake, beyond that is massive
Diamond Peak with Sawtooth and Cowhorn Mtns right
below. Just unbelievable.
The Hardy Hikers Club (6 of us) cut off of Tipsoo
and headed trailless down into the pumice plain.
What goes down must go up and we went up an
incredibly steep, rocky slope. At the top of
the slope one had magnificent views of Howlock Mtn
and Ray was up there waiting for us as he went
directly without going to Tipsoo. Gaoying
and myself continued on through whitebark
pine scrub to an open ridge where we had
unimpeded views of Howlock. The scene was
too large for my camera so I took panorama
sequences and a composite of Howlock itself.
We descended at a more eastern route so we could
hook up with the PCT. The going was steep,
rocky and slippery due to the pumice. It was
like deja vu all over again as it was a repeat of
last week's Mt. Jefferson experience. From
the PCT 6 of us went about a mile and a half to an
overlook sited precariously atop a lava cliff.
From there it was retracing our steps to the point
where a prescient Ray had flagged a route back to
the Tipsoo Peak trailhead, saving us the bother of
using our compasses.
I think we got in the vicinity of 11 miles hiked.
We bagged two peaks, walked through forest,
pumice, scree, and stood on a cliff; in a word:
diversity!
Enjoy the photos and for more pictures of the
superlative scenery see:
