SODA CREEK TRAIL
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We ate our lunch on the banks of Soda Creek in early August, mesmerized by the variety of wildflowers and the sound of water cascading over rocks. What we liked most about this hike was the variety - old growth forests, flower-filled alpine meadows, mountain views, and lava formations. |
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When you walk up the hill from the parking area to Todd Lake, watch for the Soda Creek Trail sign to the right, just before you reach the lake. From this point, it's 2.5 miles to the Soda Creek Trail junction. |
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The path starts out with an elevation gain through old growth timber until it crests at about 6,500' with a view of Broken Top.
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From this elevation, you also get sneak previews of South Sister through the trees ... |
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... and Mt. Bachelor across open meadows. |
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View of Broken Top from the top of the ridge. |
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The trail stays fairly level through open meadows with up-close mountain views. Watch for the sign indicating the way to Soda Creek. From this point, the trail begins to drop. |
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The Soda Creek Trail is sparsely traveled - we think largely due to the fact that there are so many trail options in the area. Here is the spot where we enjoyed a romantic picnic together.
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Continuing on down, we spotted Sparks Lake through a break in the trees. |
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The trail continues downward past bunches of wildflowers growing in sunny meadows, and then back into the shade of old growth timber.
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We came out of the timber to find a quiet stream in a sunny meadow at the foot of a mountain (Gary says if it doesn't have snow on it, it's only a hill.) |
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Gary demonstrates how to safely maneuver from boulder to boulder across one of several streams. I had the camera ready in case he should fall in!
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Traversing further downhill, you come across interesting lava formations set in sandy trails. |
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