Usually only climbers, mountaineers and pilots have the chance for a true bird’s-eye glimpse of nature, but along a soaring ridge in the Cascades, even novice hikers may enjoy that guarded view.

From the Tam McArthur Rim near Sisters, hikers may stand amid the peaks of the Cascades, eye level with mountains that form the western horizon. Best of all, they can do it with only a 1,000-foot elevation gain and a few hours of work.

The trip begins at Three Creek Lake, about 16 miles from Sisters. From Sisters, turn south on Elm Street at a sign for Three Creek Lake. Follow this road, which becomes Forest Road 16, for 15 miles to the point the road becomes gravel.

Continue on the gravel section of the road for two more miles, past two campgrounds, to the trailhead directly across from the entrance to Driftwood Campground.

A small parking area is about 100 feet down the road to the campground. If this area is full, park along the road near the trailhead.

Hikers start climbing immediately, winding their way through lodgepole pine and wildflowers. The trail levels out twice, breaking up some of the steeper sections and giving hikers a chance to catch their breath before tackling the next hill.

As hikers climb higher toward the ridge, great views appear between the trees, first Three Creek Lake and later a few of the Cascade Mountains.

The route dramatically levels off as hikers reach the edge of the rim, an area marked by a national forest sign, although the trail will continue to climb gradually with short steep sections.

The best views are still a half-mile away as the trail crosses the top of the ridge, but even this part of the trek is stunning. The constant wind has twisted and warped the already stunted trees into surreal sculptures, and tiny wildflowers cling to the volcanic soil.

Visitors may notice a pungent smell wafting across the otherwise pristine landscape. The source is a seemingly innocent fuzzy white flower that well earns the name of dirty socks.

Look for a side trail leading off to the right hand edge of the rim. From here, visitors may gaze out at the volcanic wonder that makes the area unique.

The Cascade Range lines up from Broken Top and the Three Sisters all the way to Mount Adams in Washington on a clear day. To the east, the High Desert stretches out with Belknap Crater and Black Crater completing the picture.

The edge of Tam McArthur Rim itself is impressive and may not be for anyone who fears heights. Plunging 500 feet straight down, the rocky cliffs end in piles of loose debris before reaching the heart-shaped Three Creek Lake. The return trip follows the same trail.

While the hike is relatively short – either five or seven miles – the elevation is high. The trailhead is 6,550 feet, and the viewpoint is at 7,730, so the hike may be a bit strenuous for those not used to higher-elevation activity.

Call the Sisters Ranger District at 549-7700 for trail conditions. A Northwest Forest Pass and free wilderness permit are required.