NE Ridge, the shortest, least painful route to the summit
The quickest and easiest route to the summit of South Sister can be accessed off Highway 338 at Sweetwater Summit. Navigate yourself to this location: 38.502563, -119.243539, about 2 miles off the highway via good dirt roads.
From there, follow the unnamed forest road to the south/southwest as it slowly ascends into the Sweetwater Range. The road is in decent shape (relative to other roads in the region), and any stock 4WD vehicle with decent clearance will make it. I parked at the 7750' level, but one could drive the road another ~1.4 miles, where it crosses into California and reaches a saddle at 8900' here: 38.483303, -119.268428. The road gets a little steep and loose, but should be navigable by any stock 4WD with a careful driver.
From the saddle parking area, follow a road to the west that ascends steeply to some old mined areas. Pick up a faint use trail here (38.483158, -119.271940) that begins to steeply ascend the broad forested ridge. If you look closely, you can pick out this faint trail on Google Maps satellite. Once you get above treeline, the route will be plainly visible all the way to the summit. The scree slogging is minimal, as the hillside is surprisingly compact. Stats: 6.6 mi roundtrip, 3400' of gain from the parking spot at 7750', OR about 4 miles with 2400' of gain if parking at the saddle.
T. White - Aug 25, 2023 11:55 pm - Voted 10/10
Great info!Really have enjoyed this and your other new pages. Solid format, great info and fun energy!
McCannster - Aug 28, 2023 8:54 am - Voted 10/10
NE Ridge, the shortest, least painful route to the summitThe quickest and easiest route to the summit of South Sister can be accessed off Highway 338 at Sweetwater Summit. Navigate yourself to this location: 38.502563, -119.243539, about 2 miles off the highway via good dirt roads.
From there, follow the unnamed forest road to the south/southwest as it slowly ascends into the Sweetwater Range. The road is in decent shape (relative to other roads in the region), and any stock 4WD vehicle with decent clearance will make it. I parked at the 7750' level, but one could drive the road another ~1.4 miles, where it crosses into California and reaches a saddle at 8900' here: 38.483303, -119.268428. The road gets a little steep and loose, but should be navigable by any stock 4WD with a careful driver.
From the saddle parking area, follow a road to the west that ascends steeply to some old mined areas. Pick up a faint use trail here (38.483158, -119.271940) that begins to steeply ascend the broad forested ridge. If you look closely, you can pick out this faint trail on Google Maps satellite. Once you get above treeline, the route will be plainly visible all the way to the summit. The scree slogging is minimal, as the hillside is surprisingly compact. Stats: 6.6 mi roundtrip, 3400' of gain from the parking spot at 7750', OR about 4 miles with 2400' of gain if parking at the saddle.
T. White - Sep 1, 2023 9:13 am - Voted 10/10
Re: NE Ridge, the shortest, least painful route to the summitAwesome! Thank you for this route description.