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Belknap Crater sunset & sunrise

  • Start date: 08/03/2024

  • Start time: 1:00 PM

  • End date: 08/04/2024

  • End time: 3:00 PM

Description:

Saturday 1PM drive from Springfield to PCT trailhead at McKenzie Pass.
Afternoon backpack to the base of Belknap Crater (6,300 ft.) in Mount Washington wilderness where we will setup our tents, and then hike to the top of Belknap Crater (6877 ft.) to watch the sunset. After sunset we will descend to our base camp. Moon will be in Waning Crescent phase illuminating only 2% so it will be nice dark night, ideal for stargazing.
Early Sunday morning optional (0.5 mile) hike to the NE slopes of Belknap Crater to enjoy long shadows and spectacular sunrise over the Three Sister Wilderness.
After the breakfast we will break our camp and hike from the base of Belknap Crater to nearby Little Belknap where we will explore lava tubs, then back to Hwy 242 and return to Eugene. Participants will manage their own transportation.
Leader will secure Wilderness permit.
Please indicate your transportation preferences. If you want to drive by yourself, please indicate "Have" and 0 for passengers. If you're willing to take another person or more, please indicate the number of people (not counting yourself) you could take.
Suggested donation to drivers $16.

Photo by: Darko Sojak

  • Event Leader: Darko Sojak

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-799-9199

  • Event Leader Email: darchey@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 146

  • Season: 2024

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Ten essentials including one-night camping setup and food. Headlamp. Carry minimum 2 liter of water plus have more water in the car for drive back. According to wilderness regulations all human waste needs to be buried at least 6 inches.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 9.1

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 1680

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Yesterday we backpacked from McKenzie Pass to the base of Belknap Crater in Mount Washington wilderness. The lava flow trail was brutally fascinating as always. Shorth rain refreshed our trek.<br />
We setup our tents at 6,300 ft base camp, and then scrambled to the top of Belknap Crater to watch the sunset. Mild weather and temperate wind provided spectacular sunset from 6,877 ft. elevation. The group was wonderful.<br />
After sunset we descended to our base camp. The darkness of the Waning Crescent made night ideal for stargazing.<br />
It was beautiful, silent night. <br />
This morning, ahead of sunrise, we scrambled back to the NE slopes of Belknap Crater. Despite widespread smoke from regional wildfires, we enjoyed long shadows and Zen sunrise over the Three Sister Wilderness. <br />
After breakfast we broke camp and hiked to nearby Little Belknap to explore lava tubs. <br />
Sun was shining.

Gallery

At the top of Little Belknap
Darko and Jeff at the top of Belknap Crater
Sunrise Little Belknap and Black Crater 8.4.2024