October 1, 2023, contributed by Kelly Cleman

A full group of 12 hikers showed up to do the 9 mile hike up to South Matthieu Lake via the Scott Pass trail. Although this hike goes up to Matthieu Lake, the Scott Pass trailhead does not require a Central Cascade Wilderness permit. It is also not very heavily trafficked, so it makes for some good trail solitude. Although the weather had been rainy on the days prior to the hike, this Sunday dawned clear and not too cold. The trail goes through some pretty wide open terrain due to a burn from several years ago, so we enjoyed views of North Sister for most of the hike up to the lake. We arrived at the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, and then walked for a few minutes down to South Matthieu Lake. We found a nice spot by the lake and enjoyed our lunch and the views of North Sister and Yapoah Crater out in the lava field. We then headed back to the trailhead at a leisurely pace.