Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 19, 2004
Fun day hike from Devils Lake. 7 hours round trip. Route finding to Moraine lake was problematic in the dark because there was still snow down low and the trails were not exposed yet. Beautiful weather, clear skies and 67 degrees at the summit with no wind. Incredible views.
Route Climbed: The South Ridge Date Climbed: August 20, 2002
I have hiked this mountain twice once in 2002 and was welcomed by hundreds of butterflies and an awe inspiring sunset at the peak. Another time in 2003 to witness again the awesome beauty of creation, yet no butterflies or sunset, but lots of exciting moments.
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: June 1, 2004
Accidently did a different approach this time, because I followed some wrong tracks. I ended up going around Devil's HIll past some interesting lava piles and back to frozen over moraine lake. Felt like a real idiot, but it was neat to see some of the less traveled parts of this area. Had a clear sky until i got to the summit, and then some clouds rolled in. I could still see from Mcloughlin to Jefferson. I took a nap on top, and then returned to my truck and drove back to Portland. A fun hike, but next year i will be sure to take the correct path and save a lot of time and energy.
Started at 6am, to nice, warm weather and good company.
The approach was long, but with beautiful scenery all around. As we approached about 9k, clouds had moved in making for a more intriguing ascent due to limited visibility: it was fun watching the boundary between the harsh, red scree in contrast with the innocent, puffy white clouds only a few meters away.
Summit cold and very windy, completely clouded over. Fortunately the clouds broke for a few minutes just as we wanted to take photos.
Some people brought crampons, but we did not--and they weren't needed for this oute anyways.
The descent was not fun on all that scree--I feel sorry for people who didn't bring poles for this...
Climbed this with a church group right before my freshman year of high school in '94. We hiked up to Moraine lake, camped there, and summited the next day. Great views from the summit, and an opportunity to see glaciers and volcanic craters up close(pretty cool for a 14 year old). Scree made the ascent tedious, but helped to make the descent a breeze. Highly recommend this hike.
Route Climbed: South Side Climber's Trail (normal route) and Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: 12 ascents total between September 4, 1993 and September 6, 2003
I have always thought of South Sister as one of the most beautiful mountains in the entire Cascade Range. I try to climb the volcano at least once every summer. The six-mile hike up from Devils Lake is a great conditioner for both the body and the mind during the summer months. I am hoping to get away from the "tourist route" and maybe try for a less-traveled route on the west side of the volcano in summer 2004. This is no Mt. Rainier climb, but
South Sister will always be a special climbing destination for me for as long as I have the ability to do it.
Route Climbed: Devil's Lake/South Route Date Climbed: 30 August 2003
The day was hot and we didn't get started until late, so the climb up was a little painful...
The views from above are amazing and a few vistas on the way up are worth the walk. At the top went right around the rim of the crater which was fun cause I got to walk in the snow.
Going down was so easy, I love going down volcanoes, it's so quick!
I think it would be great to do it when there is snow.
After a bitter cold and short night at Devil's Lake trailhead ascended the standard south side route. I was hoping for snow to avoid the usual scree slog but most of the trail is still snow free. The cold forecast must have scared away everybody, saw only a party of 4 the entire day, so remarkably was the only one on the summit enjoying the views in every direction. Will need to come back in spring to ski it.
South Side (July 2001)
Long scree slog and many people on the trail. It was definitely not a wilderness experience. Broke my altitude record and was impressed by the flat crater on top.
Route Climbed: Devil's Lake Date Climbed: Oct. 5, 2003
After a day of climbing at Smith, we hiked in to Morraine Lake in a fabulous thunderstorm Sat night. Met the rest of our party there, two of them were coming up and over North, Middle and South Sisters. Woke to blue skies and sunshine on Sun, left the lake 8:45a, summit 11:30a (all 8 of us and 4 dogs!) Actually had the summit mostly to ourselves, relatively calm and sunny on top. Much less snow then last year on the glaciers, boot skied down scree a good part of the way down. Stopped at the lake for food and to pack up, back to the car around 4:30. Giovanni's in Mill City was still open on the way home!
Have climbed this now from both routes and fill the Green lakes route is the way to go. Nice views of Glaciers, Waterfalls and the Lakes. Only saw one other person on the climbing trail until it meet up with the south route.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Expressway Date Climbed: August 18, 2003
Fantastic 360 deg views from the crater rim made this trip wonderful despite the wide trail from heavy usage and tons of people. Saw faint dark colored smoke/steam rising from the SE ,outside of crater rim . Climbed with my 13 yo daughter , we summited in 5 hours from Devils Lake TH, spent 2 hours sightseeing around the crater .
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 17, 20003
Was a very long, steep, dusty 5 hour climb from Devil's Lake Trailhead. Non-Technical this time of year, as they say, but would definitely want crampons and an ice axe in winter as the last 1300-foot pitch is fairly steep and loose. The trail itself I didn't find all that spectacular, as the overall terrain is very barren and dusty, add to that at least 100 people on a Sunday, it didn't make for the most pleasant climb. However, it was satisfying to summit, as this is definitely a lung-burner! It is a fairly "easy" climb as far as big mountains go. After a lot of determination and endurance, you will be rewarded at the top with a beautiful snow-filled crater and the Teardrop Pool, and incredible views of every peak in the Southern Cascades. I would recommend avoiding summer weekends, as I spent a lot of time waiting for the crowds to clear the trail (more like a playground than a wilderness); and ski poles would have been beneficial on the glissade back down. There are much prettier climbs in Oregon, but I feel a great satisfaction from the accomplishment. -Erik Zadow, Portland, OR
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: August 9, 2003
Took 4 1/2 hours to summit from Devils Lake trailhead. Temperature was perfect, come and go clouds, not many hikers for a Saturday, mostly clear on the summit. A couple of runners dressed only in short shorts and low top running shoes were impressing the hell out of all us walkers. They said they took an hour and 50 minutes to reach the south summit from Devils Lake. Hmmmmmm. Met a couple above Lewis Glacier who said they were 75 and 76 years old. Now that's impressive! Of course they made it to the top. Nobody quits above Lewis Glacier! Was accosted by a forest ranger working on the trail who wanted to see my Northwest Forest Pass. Why did he pick on me?! Did I look like I sneaked on to the mountain through some illegal back door? When I threatened to show it to him he backed off and the confrontation ended. (I had a pass but it was not visible). The incident kind of put me off a little bit as there were other people present whose passes were not showing and I was the only one he spoke to. Despite that it was a good experience overall, one I'd do again. Let's see, the hike is listed as 5 1/2 miles up so if I averaged 18 minute miles I could reach the summit in one hour 39 minutes thus beating the hotshots by 11 minutes. Scuse me. Gotta go train.
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 14, 2003
Perfect day for this most picturesque route. Very clear views - we could even make out Mt. Adams on the horizon more than 140 miles distant. Mosquitos were bad as usual on the lower 1.5 miles (from Devils Lake trailhead). I've climbed this one about 6 or 7 times over the years and it's one of the best for views.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 8, 2003
Great climb. Still a lot of snow this time of year, which made following trail difficult from Devil's Lake trailhead to the timberline. GPS and compass were useful when we descended and wanted to find the right spot to re-enter the treeline.
Wanted to start at 2 a.m., but couldn't see well enough on moonless night to actually begin the trail to timberline. Actual start: 5 am. Amazing views on the way up. Only six other climbers that day. We practically had the mountain to ourselves. Beautiful opalescent lake forming at base of Lewis Glacier. Several large crevasses on the glacier made the pumice ridge to the summit a more appealing (and safe) option.
The face of the mountain leading up to the ridge at the base of Lewis glacier was a real slog up...slow going, but not difficult, just tedious.
Plan to do this mountain again in summer to see the change in landscape.
Cheeseburgers and beer at Deschutes Brewing in Bend made any slogging that day worth it all!
vertx - Jun 21, 2004 4:29 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 19, 2004Fun day hike from Devils Lake. 7 hours round trip. Route finding to Moraine lake was problematic in the dark because there was still snow down low and the trails were not exposed yet. Beautiful weather, clear skies and 67 degrees at the summit with no wind. Incredible views.
Shaun Matyas - Jun 11, 2004 3:32 am
Route Climbed: The South Ridge Date Climbed: August 20, 2002I have hiked this mountain twice once in 2002 and was welcomed by hundreds of butterflies and an awe inspiring sunset at the peak. Another time in 2003 to witness again the awesome beauty of creation, yet no butterflies or sunset, but lots of exciting moments.
cmc56789 - Jun 2, 2004 4:21 am
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: June 1, 2004Accidently did a different approach this time, because I followed some wrong tracks. I ended up going around Devil's HIll past some interesting lava piles and back to frozen over moraine lake. Felt like a real idiot, but it was neat to see some of the less traveled parts of this area. Had a clear sky until i got to the summit, and then some clouds rolled in. I could still see from Mcloughlin to Jefferson. I took a nap on top, and then returned to my truck and drove back to Portland. A fun hike, but next year i will be sure to take the correct path and save a lot of time and energy.
pjc30943 - Apr 17, 2004 12:44 am
Route Climbed: South Date Climbed: August 2003Started at 6am, to nice, warm weather and good company.
The approach was long, but with beautiful scenery all around. As we approached about 9k, clouds had moved in making for a more intriguing ascent due to limited visibility: it was fun watching the boundary between the harsh, red scree in contrast with the innocent, puffy white clouds only a few meters away.
Summit cold and very windy, completely clouded over. Fortunately the clouds broke for a few minutes just as we wanted to take photos.
Some people brought crampons, but we did not--and they weren't needed for this oute anyways.
The descent was not fun on all that scree--I feel sorry for people who didn't bring poles for this...
A good climb!
Kevin Seal - Mar 11, 2004 5:07 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: Aug. 1994Climbed this with a church group right before my freshman year of high school in '94. We hiked up to Moraine lake, camped there, and summited the next day. Great views from the summit, and an opportunity to see glaciers and volcanic craters up close(pretty cool for a 14 year old). Scree made the ascent tedious, but helped to make the descent a breeze. Highly recommend this hike.
wolf - Feb 26, 2004 12:14 pm
Date Climbed: July 1985A long, but awesome climb. Carry some galcier gear just in case or for play on the way down.
farkenclimbin - Feb 10, 2004 8:45 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: summer 1993long, but well worth it!
Dave in Bend - Jan 26, 2004 9:00 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Climber's Trail (normal route) and Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: 12 ascents total between September 4, 1993 and September 6, 2003I have always thought of South Sister as one of the most beautiful mountains in the entire Cascade Range. I try to climb the volcano at least once every summer. The six-mile hike up from Devils Lake is a great conditioner for both the body and the mind during the summer months. I am hoping to get away from the "tourist route" and maybe try for a less-traveled route on the west side of the volcano in summer 2004. This is no Mt. Rainier climb, but
South Sister will always be a special climbing destination for me for as long as I have the ability to do it.
waspee - Dec 13, 2003 3:43 am
Route Climbed: Devil's Lake/South Route Date Climbed: 30 August 2003The day was hot and we didn't get started until late, so the climb up was a little painful...
The views from above are amazing and a few vistas on the way up are worth the walk. At the top went right around the rim of the crater which was fun cause I got to walk in the snow.
Going down was so easy, I love going down volcanoes, it's so quick!
I think it would be great to do it when there is snow.
eckdoerry - Nov 28, 2003 1:03 pm
Route Climbed: multiple Date Climbed: multipleThis is a fine easy climb --- perfect to convince beginners that they should like mountaineering.
Don't bother to climb this in the late summer or fall, when it is nothing but a miserable cinder slog.
Spring/Winter climbs are fine though -- if the snow is consolidated, you can cruise right in on foot.
Despite the low technical challenge, the views from the top of South Sister are, in my opinion, some of the best in all of the Cascades.
hkutuk - Nov 14, 2003 12:37 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: MultipleSouth Side (November 1, 2003)
After a bitter cold and short night at Devil's Lake trailhead ascended the standard south side route. I was hoping for snow to avoid the usual scree slog but most of the trail is still snow free. The cold forecast must have scared away everybody, saw only a party of 4 the entire day, so remarkably was the only one on the summit enjoying the views in every direction. Will need to come back in spring to ski it.
South Side (July 2001)
Long scree slog and many people on the trail. It was definitely not a wilderness experience. Broke my altitude record and was impressed by the flat crater on top.
Mugger78 - Oct 11, 2003 1:18 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: Summer 1996Had a great climb with the family.
climberkristin - Oct 6, 2003 4:43 pm
Route Climbed: Devil's Lake Date Climbed: Oct. 5, 2003After a day of climbing at Smith, we hiked in to Morraine Lake in a fabulous thunderstorm Sat night. Met the rest of our party there, two of them were coming up and over North, Middle and South Sisters. Woke to blue skies and sunshine on Sun, left the lake 8:45a, summit 11:30a (all 8 of us and 4 dogs!) Actually had the summit mostly to ourselves, relatively calm and sunny on top. Much less snow then last year on the glaciers, boot skied down scree a good part of the way down. Stopped at the lake for food and to pack up, back to the car around 4:30. Giovanni's in Mill City was still open on the way home!
K Williams - Sep 15, 2003 12:15 am
Route Climbed: Green Lakes Date Climbed: 8-27-03Have climbed this now from both routes and fill the Green lakes route is the way to go. Nice views of Glaciers, Waterfalls and the Lakes. Only saw one other person on the climbing trail until it meet up with the south route.
mtndave - Aug 21, 2003 1:02 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Expressway Date Climbed: August 18, 2003Fantastic 360 deg views from the crater rim made this trip wonderful despite the wide trail from heavy usage and tons of people. Saw faint dark colored smoke/steam rising from the SE ,outside of crater rim . Climbed with my 13 yo daughter , we summited in 5 hours from Devils Lake TH, spent 2 hours sightseeing around the crater .
Otomax - Aug 20, 2003 6:21 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 1, 2003Very dry this time of year. Great camping at Morraine lake. Left early to beat the heat and the crowds.
Erik Zadow - Aug 20, 2003 2:30 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 17, 20003Was a very long, steep, dusty 5 hour climb from Devil's Lake Trailhead. Non-Technical this time of year, as they say, but would definitely want crampons and an ice axe in winter as the last 1300-foot pitch is fairly steep and loose. The trail itself I didn't find all that spectacular, as the overall terrain is very barren and dusty, add to that at least 100 people on a Sunday, it didn't make for the most pleasant climb. However, it was satisfying to summit, as this is definitely a lung-burner! It is a fairly "easy" climb as far as big mountains go. After a lot of determination and endurance, you will be rewarded at the top with a beautiful snow-filled crater and the Teardrop Pool, and incredible views of every peak in the Southern Cascades. I would recommend avoiding summer weekends, as I spent a lot of time waiting for the crowds to clear the trail (more like a playground than a wilderness); and ski poles would have been beneficial on the glissade back down. There are much prettier climbs in Oregon, but I feel a great satisfaction from the accomplishment. -Erik Zadow, Portland, OR
littledeadant - Aug 20, 2003 12:21 am
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: August 9, 2003Took 4 1/2 hours to summit from Devils Lake trailhead. Temperature was perfect, come and go clouds, not many hikers for a Saturday, mostly clear on the summit. A couple of runners dressed only in short shorts and low top running shoes were impressing the hell out of all us walkers. They said they took an hour and 50 minutes to reach the south summit from Devils Lake. Hmmmmmm. Met a couple above Lewis Glacier who said they were 75 and 76 years old. Now that's impressive! Of course they made it to the top. Nobody quits above Lewis Glacier! Was accosted by a forest ranger working on the trail who wanted to see my Northwest Forest Pass. Why did he pick on me?! Did I look like I sneaked on to the mountain through some illegal back door? When I threatened to show it to him he backed off and the confrontation ended. (I had a pass but it was not visible). The incident kind of put me off a little bit as there were other people present whose passes were not showing and I was the only one he spoke to. Despite that it was a good experience overall, one I'd do again. Let's see, the hike is listed as 5 1/2 miles up so if I averaged 18 minute miles I could reach the summit in one hour 39 minutes thus beating the hotshots by 11 minutes. Scuse me. Gotta go train.
Don Nelsen - Aug 19, 2003 10:39 am
Route Climbed: south ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 14, 2003Perfect day for this most picturesque route. Very clear views - we could even make out Mt. Adams on the horizon more than 140 miles distant. Mosquitos were bad as usual on the lower 1.5 miles (from Devils Lake trailhead). I've climbed this one about 6 or 7 times over the years and it's one of the best for views.
amochka - Jul 27, 2003 11:22 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 8, 2003Great climb. Still a lot of snow this time of year, which made following trail difficult from Devil's Lake trailhead to the timberline. GPS and compass were useful when we descended and wanted to find the right spot to re-enter the treeline.
Wanted to start at 2 a.m., but couldn't see well enough on moonless night to actually begin the trail to timberline. Actual start: 5 am. Amazing views on the way up. Only six other climbers that day. We practically had the mountain to ourselves. Beautiful opalescent lake forming at base of Lewis Glacier. Several large crevasses on the glacier made the pumice ridge to the summit a more appealing (and safe) option.
The face of the mountain leading up to the ridge at the base of Lewis glacier was a real slog up...slow going, but not difficult, just tedious.
Plan to do this mountain again in summer to see the change in landscape.
Cheeseburgers and beer at Deschutes Brewing in Bend made any slogging that day worth it all!
beautiful trip.