The South Sister is one of the most popular climbs in Oregon. It is the third highest peak in the state and there is a non-technical trail all the way to the top. I planned to hike to the top with some good friends and their dog. The hike is 12.2 miles roundtrip and gains nearly 5000 feet of elevation to the summit at 10,363 feet.
On Friday after a half day at work, I drove over to the Cascade Lakes Highway and tried to find a campsite. We didn't planned the hike that far in advance so there were no reservable campsites left. I hoped to find a first-come first served campsite. After much searching and backtracking, I finally found an available campsite at the North Davis Creek Campground.
There was a beautiful meadow near the campground.
Since I arrived before my friends, I had some time to go explore. I decided to drive north and go for a run on the Six Lakes Trail to Doris Lake. It was about a five mile run even though the sign says six.
The trail entered the Three Sisters Wilderness.
The trail was mainly forested. I tripped on something and took a dive but no injuries.
The first lake I came to was Blow Lake.
Blow Lake
The forest seemed to change to bigger trees.
There was a small pond by the trail.
I reached Doris Lake.
There were several others camped nearby.
Doris Lake
As I ran back I could see Mount Bachelor through the trees.
Before returning to camp, I went paddleboarding on Hosmer Lake. I didn't have a dry case for my phone so didn't take photos but it was beautiful.
My friends arrived late in the evening. In the morning there was a great view of the creek.
We drove to the Devil's Lake Trailhead and found some of the last remaining parking spots at the nearby Wickiup Plains Trailhead.
South Sister from the trailhead.
The summit was 6.25 miles away.
We could see Diamond Peak through the trees.
It was mostly climbing through the forest initially.
We reached a trail junction and our first good view of the South Sister. We examined it to try to figure out where the trail would go.
Broken Top
We could see Moraine Lake down below.
It was quite open and the trail was like a road.
As the climb steepened, the trail narrowed.
It became rockier. There were many others on the trail.
Looking back to Mount Bachelor
Looking down to Moraine Lake
We came to a pass and a beautiful lake with views of glaciers.
Lewis Glacier
We could see the many hikers on the final section to the summit.
Looking down on the lake.
We continued upward.
Broken Top
Mocha decided she had gone high enough. She liked her Rex Specs and Booties.
Two of us continued to the top.
The trail followed a ridge beside the glacier.
It was quite steep and the rocks were loose. Many people were slipping on the way down.
We were looking down on Mount Bachelor.
At the top there was a large glacier.
We looped around the mainly flat summit.
South Sister Summit
Broken Top from summit of South Sister
From the top we could see the Middle and North Sisters, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Hood.
South Sister Summit
The color of the lakes down below was interesting.
Middle Sister, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Hood
We ran all the way back down to the lake.
Looking back, it was hard to believe that we had just been on top of the mountain.
We entered the forest and continued the descent.
After a long day, harder than anticipated, we made it back to our vehicles. The South Sister lived up to its hype as one of Oregon's best day- hikes. The views throughout were spectacular and we had great weather. Beginning in 2020 this day-hike will require permit reservations through recreation.gov due to its popularity.
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