Gray Butte Loop…
This is a good choice if you’re tired of the constant dripping on the west side of the Cascades. The forecast called for 30% chance of precip, which is good enough for us. We’ve done this loop before, and will definitely do it again.
Gotta get up early to get the best parking spot at Smith…
Early enough to see the Otters at play in the river…
Early light on North Sister… Love the two Geese on the top of the rock (zoom in)
Early light on Mount Jefferson…
Our turnaround destination in the far distance, Gray Butte…
Looking down at the Smith Rock Group, and in the distance…Mt Bachelor, Broken Top, Three Sisters, and Black Crater.
Mount Jefferson…
Gray Butte, getting closer…
I’ve always called this rock “Tiki Rock”, but have found out recently that it has a name…Tasmanian Devil.
From Gray Butte, looking SW…you can see the back of Smith Rock SP, Indian Ridge (Squaw Rock), and Mendenhall Ridge…
The Three Sisters…
From Gray Butte, Looking at the way back…
The rocks on Mendenhall Ridge…The Poplar, The Sapling..and others…
Looking north from Gray Butte…
Looking south from Gray Butte…
…and now looking at the weather headed right for us…
It fell as snow…much better than rain 🙂
Dumb sign…the private property is still .7 of a mile away…
Today’s route…
