Entering Mount Jefferson Wilderness Hiking to Square Lake & Booth Lake! Three Fingered Jack Loop 4K

This was a Day-Hike in Central Oregon, part of the 24-mile Three Fingered Jack Loop, starting from the Santiam Pass Pacific Crest Trailhead (NO Recreation.gov permit required, self issue @ Trailhead) turning East (to the Right) at the Old Summit Trail Junction just 0.3 Miles from the Trailhead and Hiking NE to Square Lake, Booth Lake & beyond to First Creek (the #12 Yellow Oval on the AllTrails Three Fingered Jack Loop Hike) as the Turnaround Point for this 11 Miles, 1400 FT Elevation Gain Day-Hike!

Two Approaches to Conquering the EPIC Three Fingered Jack Loop:
1) Backpack the entire 24-Mile Loop!
or
2) Break it Up into 3 Day-Hikes to Capture the Highlights:
A) Jack Lake Trailhead to Turquoise Cirque to Wasco Lake, up Minto Pass to Wasco Overlook, on to Burnout Zone, do hidden Waterfall on Return to Trailhead, approximately 12.7 Miles, 1700 FT Elevation Gain Minimum, can Extend, ***Please Note PERMIT REQUIRED for Hike Option A***.....Playlist Link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuGUSVzluAAlkP3nuYIgQWFbjW59EgmQH
B) Santiam Pass / PCT Trailhead staying West down the PCT to the "Moneyshot View" as Natural Turnaround Point, approximately 14 Miles, 1600 FT Elevation Gain Minimum.....Playlist Link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuGUSVzluAAk5bSV0MO7gcBF8tkkCozE7
C) Santiam Pass / PCT Trailhead turning East down Old Summit Trail to Square Lake, Booth Lake to First Creek, approximately 11 Miles, 1400 FT Elevation Gain (THIS HIKE!).....Playlist Link:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuGUSVzluAAk5bSV0MO7gcBF8tkkCozE7

I would recommend doing this earlier in the day with fluids on your person because the vast majority of this Day Hike is FULLY EXPOSED to the SUN. The temperature was classic late Summer weather, in the 50's early in the morning with a high in 80's in the heart of the day. This was hiked on 8/12/2022 and there were fortunately no mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, in my opinion, any car can easily make it, the road most definitely does not require 4-Wheel Drive, it is highway to a paved parking lot, no real off road or challenging road driving required - do watch for road conditions, particularly snow/ice depending on the time of year.