Don't Know Jack? LbNA #26094

Don't know Jack? Uncertain who "Jack" was, the one who lent his name to both Jack Creek and Jack Lake. One story says Jack was a fur trapper who lived in these parts and gave his name to the mountain, along with the lake and the creek. Jack Creek is lesser in water volume than the Metolius but just as lovely and not nearly as "touristy". The Head of Jack Creek comes right out of the ground, as if springing from the roots of a tree, fed by underground springs and creating miniature waterfalls. The water is cold and constant. From its headwaters to where it joins the Metolius, the creek maintains nearly the same depth and temperature. Flowing NE it joins the Metolius River, about halfway between Camp Sherman and Wizard Falls, from whence it flows into Lake Billy Chinook and eventually to the Deschutes and Columbia rivers. The hike is an easy walk in the forest on a flat well manicured path. The area has been selected for inclusion in the list of 184 sites of Oregon's Cascades Birding Trail.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Turn off Hwy 20, 12.1 mi west of Sisters, onto Road 12. Road 12 turns off to the north at a sigh marked Jack Creek Rd. It is paved and in good condition. Continue on Road 12 for 4.3 mi then go left onto a red cinder road No. 1230. In half a mile the road crosses Jack Creek over a narrow scenic bridge. Turn left off 1230 onto Road 1232 about 50 yards past the bridge. Road 1232 becomes Road 400. Drive past the Jack Creek campground .7 mile to the Head of Jack Creek Parking lot. The Camp Sherman Store has an excellent FREE map of the area and all its roads

CLUES: Walk the trail to the wooden bench and have a seat. Stand and go 25 paces straight toward the creek to a group of 5 Douglas firs with charred trunks. Growing under a chunk of charred wood between to of the firs is a tasty "Morel Mushroom" Please walk a short way further to the Head of Jack Creek and enjoy the phenomenon of a creek springing up from underground and the beautiful fairyland it creates.