Three Fingered Jack Loop Backpacking Guide

This moderately easy, short loop around Three Fingered Jack offers nearly unending mountain and lake views. You’ll not only get up close and personal with craggy Three-Fingered Jack as you circumnavigate the peak, but you’ll also catch glimpses of the surrounding Cascade Range volcanoes around every corner.

Over half of the route coincides with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which tends to be well-graded and maintained. And since it’s less than 24 miles, this trip is doable in just a couple of days. Most of the trail traverses land ravaged by the B&B Complex Wildfire in 2005.

Continue reading to learn more, written by Heather Eldridge.

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Editorial Assistant
Heather Eldridge

As an Editorial Assistant at CleverHiker, Heather contributes to all aspects of our content creation, including research, analysis, testing, writing, photography, and more. Heather also leads the CH communications department, answering reader questions and building relationships with innovative outdoor brands.

Originally from Oregon, Heather has been exploring the Pacific Northwest since childhood. Heather is an experienced thru-hiker, having completed both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. With a degree in Outdoor Education, Heather spent years encouraging youth to embrace outdoor recreation through various leadership positions. She has also worked as a backpacking guide, rock climbing instructor, and portrait photographer.

Heather takes a balanced approach to backpacking and camping, emphasizing comfort while keeping the weight and cost of her gear in check. Her love of photography is evident in the stunning images she captures on her adventures, which she uses to inspire others to explore the beauty of the natural world. When Heather’s not working, you can find her hiking with her dog in the local forests or obsessing over plants in her garden.

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