Trip report by Colby Phillips
The Three Sisters Wilderness Area outside of Bend, Oregon offers many opportunities for alpine hikes among the volcanoes of Oregon's Central Cascades. South Sister, at 10,358 is a strenuous "walk up" that is a good opportunity to bag Oregon's third highest peak. A great route is to hike to Moraine Lake which sits at the foot of South Sister, and set up a base camp from which to scale the summit of the mountain. The arid Central Oregon high desert offers great weather in the summer, and this area can be crowded on summer weekends, especially Labor Day weekend.
Photos: (Top) South Sister from the plains above Moraine Lake; (Bottom) Glacial pool on the side of South Sister, Mt. Bachelor in background. (Phillips photos.)
Getting There: Drive to Bend, Oregon and head West on Cascade Lakes Highway, 27 miles to Devil's Lake Campground (6.5 miles past the Mt. Bachelor ski area). The trailhead starts at the campground parking lot.
Stats: Hike 2.5 miles one-way to Moraine Lake, and another 3.7 miles from the lake to the summit of South Sister (4900 ft. total elevation gain). Wilderness permits are required - free at outdoor stores or ranger stations.
Maps: Three Sisters Wilderness (USFS).
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.