Broken Top Loop
Stats: 23 miles, 4070 ft vertical gain.
Timeline:
Day 1: 13 Miles, Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead to Cayuse Crater Camp Site
Day 2: 10 miles, Cayuse Crater Camp Site to Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead
I completed this route as a short local to Central Oregon option. This route did require a Central Cascades Overnight Permit starting and ending at the Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead. This permit is required from June 15 through October 15. I do think, given the right weather, you could sneak in a trip in late October avoiding the need to get a permit. However, the route does top out at around 8,000 feet, be prepared for cold weather.
I hiked this route counterclockwise knowing there is a large portion of burn area and wanting to end the hike with“No Name” Lake and Broken Top. There is no benefit going either direction, however, clockwise being maybe slightly easier.
Day 1 from Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead was smooth and the miles came fast. Hiking through the burn was flat with little to no deadfall to hurdle. I had anticipated this stretch being dry, as is typical in burn areas. However, the hydrology has remained strong, multiple easy creek crossings were encountered providing ample water sources. There was one climb from Park Meadow to Green Lakes. No more than 1,000 feet over 3 miles and many switchbacks. With efficiency in mind, I hiked passed the Green Lakes basin for another marked camp site further up trail.Green Lakes would be a great spot to camp if hiking in either direction.
Waking up on day 2, I assumed the hike would be similar to the previous day. The hiking was harder than anticipated or maybe I was just tired. Either way, I started the day at 6,800’ and climbed to 8,300’ before dropping back down to the trailhead for a total of 10 miles. Open meadows with views of Broken top and Mt. Bachelor validated my decision to hike this section last. Hiking to “No Name” Lake seemed to drag but the area was beautiful with clear water running through alpine vegetation and red rock. I was a bit shocked getting to No Name Lake when I turned a corner around a morraine, climbed up a drainage and see the lake at eye level. The lake boasted emerald blue water which complimented the rainbow coloring of Broken Top.
To exit the No Name Lake area, the route requires you to climb up Broken Hand, short and punchy, this climb was high yield with even more views.
The decent proved to be challenging. What seemed straight forward turned into a ridge traverse that culminated in crossing a loose volcanic slope with obvious signs of rock fall and no obvious trail. This description is not meant to fear monger, just acknowledging that there was probably a better way and that apparently I need to learn how to read a map. I enjoyed the challenge and confirmed my interested in attempting to complete a high route at some point in the future. From Broken Hand to Tam Rim trailhead the hike is a gradual decent on a well marked trail and pleanty of other hikers.
