Our original plan was to backpack into the Jefferson Park Wilderness in central Oregon, but when forest fires closed down the area we opted not to fight the traffic and crowds, instead staying local and summiting one of our favorite mountains, Mt McLoughlin, to watch the event. 

We headed up the mountain after work on Sunday which meant a night summit, in a dark moonless night. We've been to the peak of this mountain many times but only once before in the dark and never with a full backpacking load. The top of this mountain is all rock, which means the final mile is all bouldering, which was quite the adventure in the dark with a 20lb pack on our backs! 

We were blessed with perfect weather once we climbed up above the valley smoke, a clear night with just a easy occasional breeze which is a blessing on a mountain top! The downside to camping on the top of a volcano is there are not really any flat spots, so it was not exactly a comfortable nights sleep. Plus, the show the stars put on during the moonless dark night was spectacular! I saw so many shooting stars I could hardly close my eyes, so there was not much sleep happening. 

Hiker pup, Emily tucked in with us, snuggled in her dragon wing jacket and covered with the down blanket we packed in for her. There are few dogs I would trust like I do her, the space at our feet literally dropping away a few thousand feet off a sheer drop. But she is the most thoughtful careful dog I've ever owned and I never doubted her judgement. 

The fire smoke made for a dramatic sunrise and it has been on the list for a very long time to sleep on this mountain and watch the sunrise, it did not disappoint! It was lovely having an easy morning, drinking coffee, eating oatmeal and watching the sun climb it's way into the sky. Then of course was the amazing display nature put on with the eclipse! Our place on the path put us at 96%, a lovely experience well worth the climb and something we will cherish as an experience!