Getting Started @ Tam McArthur Rim Trail Climbing Slate Rock to First Overlook | 4K | Central Oregon

This was a day-hike in Central Oregon, Tam McArthur Rim Trail (one of the Seven Wonders of Three Sisters Wilderness), parked at Little Three Creek Lake Trailhead Parking and crossed the street over to Tam McArthur Rim Trail (Recreation.gov permit required). The Trail immediately starts with an incline overlooking Three Creek Lake to the Three Creek Lake Overlook Zone which is where the 5.3 mile version of Alltrails ends the hike. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND hiking beyond that on the "Unmaintained Trail" to either Broken Hand (9.3 miles, 1800 FT Elevation Gain) or all the way to No Name Lake (11 miles, 2200 FT Elevation Gain) - the next section is by far the best of the whole hike so I would not recommend leaving it on the table. Continued to hike across flat Alpine Tundra past the Glacier, up the EPIC Volcanic Zone to the "Red Clay Ridgeline Alpine Zone" ultimately past Broken Hand to WORLD FAMOUS Bend Glacier and descended down into the No Name Lake Cirque Broken Top Basin as my turnaround point, 11 miles, 2200 FT Elevation Gain. I would recommend doing this hike as early as possible in the day with fluids on your person because this entire 5+ hour hike (give or take depending on speed) is FULLY EXPOSED to the SUN and there is only about a 10-week window this is even accessible in the HOT SUMMER (around 8/1 - 10/15 give or take). The temperature was classic Summer weather, low in the 40's early in the morning with a high in 80's in the heart of the day. This was hiked on 8/15/2022, and there were fortunately no mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway until a few miles of unpaved rocky road at the end. That section is pretty bumpy so you need to take is slowly and safely, however in my opinion, the road does not require 4-Wheel Drive - do watch for road conditions, particularly snow/ice depending on the time of year.