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Past Activity

Postponed: Belknap Crater Stargazing

  • Start date: 08/02/2019

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 08/03/2019

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Drive from Eugene to PCT trailhead at McKenzie Pass. Afternoon PCT hike to the base of Belknap Crater (6,300 ft.) in Mount Washington wilderness. There we will set tents and then hike to the top of Belknap Crater (6877 ft.) where we will stay for couple of hours to watch stars. It will be first night of Waxing crescent (Visible: 3%) so, almost pitch dark and ideal for stargazing if no clouds. Later, that same evening we will descent back to our base camp for good night. Saturday, after the breakfast we will break our camp, and hike to nearby Little Belknap Crater where we’ll explore lava tubs. Hike back to trailhead and return to Eugene Saturday PM.

  • 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: South Eugene High School, 19th & Patterson

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 160

  • Season: 2019

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: This is difficult, sun exposed trail in open lava fields. No water on the trail. You will need to show to leader minimum 3/4 gallon (2.5 litre) of water per person. No exceptions. Food and snacks for 24 hrs. Please leave some extra water in your car for after the hike and drive home. Sturdy hiking shoes with firm soles. Ten essentials and sun protection. Hiking poles highly recommended. Two reliable flash lights per person. Carry personal trowel for cat hole digging and obey “Leave No Trace” principles. Sleeping system, good padding for hard surface and extra layers for cold windy night on the top of Belknap Crater.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8.8

  • Member Fees: 2

  • Elevation Gain: 1680

  • Non-Member Fees: 10

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

On the hot Friday afternoon four of us hiked PCT trail from HWY 242 to the base of Belknap Crater (6,300 ft.) in Mount Washington wilderness. By 7PM temperature dropped and clouds moved in. After we set our tents, we hiked to the top of very windy Belknap Crater (6877 ft.) in attempt to watch the sunset. Cold, 40+ miles per hour wind and cloudy west skies chased us down to the safety of base camp.
Just after we finished our dinner, sky cleared allowing us to enjoy Milky Way and good night.

Saturday morning few of us hiked back to the NE slopes of Belknap Crater to enjoy long shadows of gorgeous sunrise, pleasant windless weather and spectacular views of Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, Sisters, Black Butte and more.
After the breakfast we broke our camp and hiked to nearby Little Belknap Crater for more good sights and exploration of lava tubs. Then, over the rugged lava fields, we hiked back to HWY 242.