couimet - Mar 3, 2006 10:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2003
South Sister: South Ridge
Watched people ski down the south side the night before we summited. Great viewing from the summit; we could see all of Oregon's tallest mountains (middle sister, north sister, mt. jefferson, and mt. hood). Very clear day, but the wind was much faster than I thought it would be. Only the second time above 10000'. Fairly easy climb. Almost no snow near Moraine lake 6450'.
madmallard - Feb 25, 2006 7:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2005
my first sister
the view to the north from this summit is simply amazing. went up bachelor the week before to get a good view of the south ridge route. it's very strange to see red rock along the route. not something that I am used to seeing outside of the southwest.
Route Climbed: climbers route/south ridge. Date Climbed: july 17th 2004
I soloed this climb after succesful summits of Mt adams and Mt shasta the two previous weekends. I left devils lake campground at 2:00 am. I proceeded under headlamp up the trail between devils and kaleetan buttes. and arrived at the plateau above moraine lake.. I was happy to have reached the plateau the forest was a bit freaky as always when hiking alone in the dark. The stars were bright and there was quite a bit of snow on the ground for the middle of July . It was fairly easy for a while to make out the way following tracks from previous day.. I lost the trail eventually as tracks started to fan out in all directions. At that point I decided it was best to hug up to the very ridge itself. I figured I could ascend the ridge and follow it up till I ran back into to the trail. It was a littlle tricky working my up the loose scree . I also realized that by not having a helmet I didn't want to walk under the cliff sections of the ridge which on my route the easier way. I eventually worked my way through this little inconveniance and arrived at the lewis glacier when the sun began to rise. I was back on track huffed and puffed up the red hill section and arrved on the summit 7:00 am I enjoyed a little bit of inclement weather chatted with a couple that had spent the night on the summit. and enjoyed the wonderful views.
Route Climbed: South Climb Date Climbed: September 17th, 2005
Got a late start at 9am. This was my second attempt at a cascade summit; my first was Mt. Adams in WA. The hike was fun, but the weather turned sour about forty-five minutes before we reached the peak. The summit was so cloudy (and snowy) that we couldn't even see across the top of the mountain. This just means I will have to return next year to get the view I was not granted this time. Four hours up, 20 mins at the top and two and a half down.
Took off from Devil's lake Trailhead at 9:00pm, slept at Moraine Lake, Set off at 6:00am, we were the second to the top. Snow is low enough this year that you can circumvent the summit crater without walking on Snow. Doing the North Ridge next time. Great as always.
summited south via north ridge as part of three sisters traverse. Made it from south sister summit to trail head in 1.5 hours. the whole three mountain traverse took us 14 hours.
Hey, Seth! I know it was 3-4 years ago, but can you give me any more info on what trailhead you STARTED the traverse (all 3) from, and/or some printed info on the traverse? Jeff Smoot's book mentions the possibility, but doesn't describe the traverse or where to start it from. Thanks! Sam Jones (hikerjones@yahoo.com)
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 21, 2004
Straightforward solo day trip from Devils Lake. Left at 6.35am, summit at 11.55. Perfect weather and wonderful views. Didn't find the vaunted volcanic scree too bad at all - but then again I was raised on the Welsh stuff! Down in just over 3h after a leisurely lunch on top. Another great day in the Cascades.
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: aug/31/05
first mountain over 10k hard hike but diffinately woth it great views due to the clear weather . had a touch of fall weather stayed aroud 40 degrees on most of the mountain.
Route Climbed: south side/devil's lake Date Climbed: August 15, 2005
I can't understand what possibly possessed me to climb this mountain again in late summer. Perhaps time helps you forget the pain of the pumice slog, but I found myself up there again this weekend. I'm easily seduced by any suggestion of climbing, so when a friend who hadn't summited s.sister wanted company, I couldn't say no. Is this healthy?
Long hot slog up pumice slopes, no surprises there....but very clear skies, so great view from the top. Ran into friends on the summit, and my friend Jay was great company on the hike, so good day overall. If I could just get that insidious red dust off my boots, my backpack, and me, all would be well.
Route Climbed: South Ridge/Devil's Lake TH Date Climbed: August 8, 2005
Beautiful, clear day - nine hour hike well worth every footfall. Getting to walk in the crater at the top was a highlight. Pretty sure I brought half the mountain back down to the car though - had to take my boots off twice to dump the scree.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 1, 2005
Dad (SP's Mistchief) and I Started at 1:00 PM at Green Lakes Trail Head on July 1, 2005 got to Morain Lake at about 3:00 PM. Left the next day at 5:10 AM, cloudy but a nice cool breeze kept off the heat. Got to the summit at 11:00 AM and we couldnt see Mount Hood or any other mountains to the far north. Left the summit at 12:00 PM and got back to camp about 2:30 PM and back to the car by just before 5:00 PM.
We started at Green Lakes TH at 1:00 PM on 7-31-05. Left from Moraine Lake at 5:10AM the next day. It was a great hike, a few clouds obstructed our view of the peaks to the far north but was a great compramise to hiking in the heat. Levi, 12, my son's 2nd major peak, had a little trouble but it hasn't dampened his spirits in the least. Summited at 11:00AM far from any records but we made the top. Returned to Moraine Lake at 3:00PM & back to the TH at just before 5:00.
Route Climbed: South/ Devil's Lake TH Date Climbed: 07/24/2005
Began @ 7am from TH, it was already hot. Few mosquitoes was a pleasant suprise. Scree running to the summit and made it by 10:30. It was a typical perfectly clear summer day in Central Oregon. An easy hike (minus the rock slides) and awesome views, I wouldn't reccommend the trip on a weekend!
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 27, 2004
Summitted with my 14 year old son Jonathan. His first peak over 10K. It was a great day with wonderful views up and down the Cascades. We hit snow early on, which continued for most of the climb to the summit. Sure beats climbing on late season scree.
Jonathan needed some pushing near the summit. He made it to the crater rim only to be told that the true summit was on the other side. Reluctantly he made the trek across.
It was all worthwhile though as the glissades down, including a great one off the summit face, were lots of fun.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 2, 2005
Camped at Moraine lake, started climb at 4am. The snow was nice and hard and we were the first to summit that day. On the way back the snow was very soft and slushy which was nice for glissading but not nice for those going up.
The weather was clear and the views were amazing.
Ski poles made moving very easy, did not need ice axe or crampons.
couimet - Mar 3, 2006 10:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2003
South Sister: South RidgeWatched people ski down the south side the night before we summited. Great viewing from the summit; we could see all of Oregon's tallest mountains (middle sister, north sister, mt. jefferson, and mt. hood). Very clear day, but the wind was much faster than I thought it would be. Only the second time above 10000'. Fairly easy climb. Almost no snow near Moraine lake 6450'.
madmallard - Feb 25, 2006 7:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 18, 2005
my first sisterthe view to the north from this summit is simply amazing. went up bachelor the week before to get a good view of the south ridge route. it's very strange to see red rock along the route. not something that I am used to seeing outside of the southwest.
cascadetraveler - Jan 14, 2006 11:15 pm
Route Climbed: climbers route/south ridge. Date Climbed: july 17th 2004I soloed this climb after succesful summits of Mt adams and Mt shasta the two previous weekends. I left devils lake campground at 2:00 am. I proceeded under headlamp up the trail between devils and kaleetan buttes. and arrived at the plateau above moraine lake.. I was happy to have reached the plateau the forest was a bit freaky as always when hiking alone in the dark. The stars were bright and there was quite a bit of snow on the ground for the middle of July . It was fairly easy for a while to make out the way following tracks from previous day.. I lost the trail eventually as tracks started to fan out in all directions. At that point I decided it was best to hug up to the very ridge itself. I figured I could ascend the ridge and follow it up till I ran back into to the trail. It was a littlle tricky working my up the loose scree . I also realized that by not having a helmet I didn't want to walk under the cliff sections of the ridge which on my route the easier way. I eventually worked my way through this little inconveniance and arrived at the lewis glacier when the sun began to rise. I was back on track huffed and puffed up the red hill section and arrved on the summit 7:00 am I enjoyed a little bit of inclement weather chatted with a couple that had spent the night on the summit. and enjoyed the wonderful views.
96avs01 - Nov 12, 2005 5:46 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 1, 2005Enjoyable hike with a phenomenal bivy at the top!
mandrake - Oct 31, 2005 7:44 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: June 26, 2004Terrific climbing weather with great views off to the north.
davelux - Sep 24, 2005 1:24 am
Route Climbed: South Climb Date Climbed: September 17th, 2005Got a late start at 9am. This was my second attempt at a cascade summit; my first was Mt. Adams in WA. The hike was fun, but the weather turned sour about forty-five minutes before we reached the peak. The summit was so cloudy (and snowy) that we couldn't even see across the top of the mountain. This just means I will have to return next year to get the view I was not granted this time. Four hours up, 20 mins at the top and two and a half down.
Scott Dusek - Sep 8, 2005 4:14 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 9/5/05Took off from Devil's lake Trailhead at 9:00pm, slept at Moraine Lake, Set off at 6:00am, we were the second to the top. Snow is low enough this year that you can circumvent the summit crater without walking on Snow. Doing the North Ridge next time. Great as always.
seth fridae - Sep 3, 2005 6:26 pm
Route Climbed: north ridge Date Climbed: 9/3summited south via north ridge as part of three sisters traverse. Made it from south sister summit to trail head in 1.5 hours. the whole three mountain traverse took us 14 hours.
hikerjones - Jul 23, 2008 9:39 pm
Re: Route Climbed: north ridge Date Climbed: 9/3Hey, Seth! I know it was 3-4 years ago, but can you give me any more info on what trailhead you STARTED the traverse (all 3) from, and/or some printed info on the traverse? Jeff Smoot's book mentions the possibility, but doesn't describe the traverse or where to start it from. Thanks! Sam Jones (hikerjones@yahoo.com)
vancouver islander - Sep 3, 2005 5:51 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 21, 2004Straightforward solo day trip from Devils Lake. Left at 6.35am, summit at 11.55. Perfect weather and wonderful views. Didn't find the vaunted volcanic scree too bad at all - but then again I was raised on the Welsh stuff! Down in just over 3h after a leisurely lunch on top. Another great day in the Cascades.
alexr - Sep 1, 2005 7:12 pm
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: aug/31/05first mountain over 10k hard hike but diffinately woth it great views due to the clear weather . had a touch of fall weather stayed aroud 40 degrees on most of the mountain.
bauerbrian - Aug 30, 2005 8:34 am
Route Climbed: Green Lakes Variation Date Climbed: August 1996Killer!
amochka - Aug 17, 2005 6:34 pm
Route Climbed: south side/devil's lake Date Climbed: August 15, 2005I can't understand what possibly possessed me to climb this mountain again in late summer. Perhaps time helps you forget the pain of the pumice slog, but I found myself up there again this weekend. I'm easily seduced by any suggestion of climbing, so when a friend who hadn't summited s.sister wanted company, I couldn't say no. Is this healthy?
Long hot slog up pumice slopes, no surprises there....but very clear skies, so great view from the top. Ran into friends on the summit, and my friend Jay was great company on the hike, so good day overall. If I could just get that insidious red dust off my boots, my backpack, and me, all would be well.
Kate - Aug 9, 2005 2:25 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge/Devil's Lake TH Date Climbed: August 8, 2005Beautiful, clear day - nine hour hike well worth every footfall. Getting to walk in the crater at the top was a highlight. Pretty sure I brought half the mountain back down to the car though - had to take my boots off twice to dump the scree.
Levi - Aug 5, 2005 8:17 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 1, 2005Dad (SP's Mistchief) and I Started at 1:00 PM at Green Lakes Trail Head on July 1, 2005 got to Morain Lake at about 3:00 PM. Left the next day at 5:10 AM, cloudy but a nice cool breeze kept off the heat. Got to the summit at 11:00 AM and we couldnt see Mount Hood or any other mountains to the far north. Left the summit at 12:00 PM and got back to camp about 2:30 PM and back to the car by just before 5:00 PM.
MistChief - Aug 3, 2005 8:38 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 8-01-05We started at Green Lakes TH at 1:00 PM on 7-31-05. Left from Moraine Lake at 5:10AM the next day. It was a great hike, a few clouds obstructed our view of the peaks to the far north but was a great compramise to hiking in the heat. Levi, 12, my son's 2nd major peak, had a little trouble but it hasn't dampened his spirits in the least. Summited at 11:00AM far from any records but we made the top. Returned to Moraine Lake at 3:00PM & back to the TH at just before 5:00.
SgtSarge - Jul 29, 2005 10:22 pm
Route Climbed: Devil Lake Trailhead Date Climbed: 7-29-05Left the trailhead at 0700hrs and summited around 1100hrs. Views were not great due to the fire along SR140. Will comback to do the other sisters.
jajeet - Jul 24, 2005 8:06 pm
Route Climbed: South/ Devil's Lake TH Date Climbed: 07/24/2005Began @ 7am from TH, it was already hot. Few mosquitoes was a pleasant suprise. Scree running to the summit and made it by 10:30. It was a typical perfectly clear summer day in Central Oregon. An easy hike (minus the rock slides) and awesome views, I wouldn't reccommend the trip on a weekend!
crirwin - Jul 13, 2005 1:23 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 27, 2004Summitted with my 14 year old son Jonathan. His first peak over 10K. It was a great day with wonderful views up and down the Cascades. We hit snow early on, which continued for most of the climb to the summit. Sure beats climbing on late season scree.
Jonathan needed some pushing near the summit. He made it to the crater rim only to be told that the true summit was on the other side. Reluctantly he made the trek across.
It was all worthwhile though as the glissades down, including a great one off the summit face, were lots of fun.
Photuris - Jul 6, 2005 12:37 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 2, 2005Camped at Moraine lake, started climb at 4am. The snow was nice and hard and we were the first to summit that day. On the way back the snow was very soft and slushy which was nice for glissading but not nice for those going up.
The weather was clear and the views were amazing.
Ski poles made moving very easy, did not need ice axe or crampons.