Bend area Memorial Day Weekend

[nolanr]

Okay Central Oregon residents, it's your time to shine. I know I could check w/ the local Ranger Station, but that's no fun. I'm heading down that way for the 3 day weekend w/ a bunch of people. We'll be doing some hiking, not climbing, I'm curious about current conditions/trail accessability. Some of my favorites in the area are Tam McArthur Rim, Canyon Cr. Meadow (I think that's the name of the trail, the one that goes up to the base of Three Fingered Jack from the SE), and anything on the South side of Broken Top. Are the trailheads in those areas accessible? Is the snow fairly well consolidated, or are snowshoes recommended? I was up to about 6,000 ft. in the WA Cascades last weekend and the snow was fairly solid, even in the afternoon. Definitely didn't need the 'shoes. Thanks for any info.

[fheimerd]

Seems like there is lots of snow out there. Broken top access would be a pain because the road is not open yet but why not. Depending on the weather definately bring snowshoes.

[jlag]

I agree, I wouldn't go out there w/out some sort of floatation devices. The Cascade Lakes HWY will be open this weekend, so you'll get good access to S. Sister or Broken Top. The trails are broken at first but mostly snow up higher. Not sure about the road up to the TH for Canyon Creek Meadow, I'd be willing to bet theres snow before the TH proper.

[rbw1966]

Accessing the PCT trailhead to Three Fingered Jack from Hoodoo meant parking your car on the shoulder as of two weeks ago (i.e. the parking lot was snowed in).

[nolanr]

Thanks for the replies. Duly noted, will bring flotation and an open mind on where we can go hiking.

[nolanr]

PCT North TH at Santiam Pass is snow free. Don't know about trail conditions, the weather was crappy and some of our group didn't want to get cold and wet. You can drive to the TH for Canyon Creek Meadow. Trail is snow covered just beyond Jack Lake. Snow is well consolidated, I didn't bother w/ snowshoes and there were only a couple of places they would've been marginally useful. We got to the upper meadow area. Jack was hiding in the clouds the whole time. The Sisters Ranger Station is worthless, they were closed all weekend and only had a few TH condition postings on the message board outside, no doubt several weeks outdated already.