This was the first 'real' mountain I had the chance to climb. The views on that particularly clear day (Rainier to Shasta?) have stuck with me for a long time.
This is a great peak for newbies and groups - we came up from the south (Devil's Lake) and didn't have any trouble getting to the top with a bunch of teenagers.
Cal - Apr 16, 2012 3:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2011
60 mph wind
I think we made it to the top...it was a white-out and wind almost blew my friend over the edge at one point. And still there were other people out!
mastercoog - Feb 19, 2012 6:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2011
Hiked standard route in mid-september
Hiked South Sister after climbing North and Middle a few days earlier in mid September. The temperature was 90 degrees the first day of our trip and was near or at freezing temperatures plus windy at Moraine Lake where we camped the last night. However as we climbed up the mountain, the wind stopped as we climbed past the cloud level at 7500 feet and was very pleasant and sunny on the summit. We spent extra time on the summit because we did not want to go back down to the windy weather down below.
Second successful summit on August 26th, 2012 with party of four. One team member got altitude sickness and almost did not make summit. Started climbing at 4:20am and had mountain mostly to ourselves. The summit was 40 degrees with about 30mph winds which felt very cold for summer climbing. Total climb time was 8h 40min starting from Moraine Lake.
santanoni - Jan 13, 2012 11:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2011
South Side
Camping out at moraine lake we went up fairly early. My climbing companions had not been above 5000 in a long time, but we knocked it out in quick order and with no problems. One broken trekking pole from a boot ski by one of my group, no big deal.
Looks like summer's finally over. Super cloudy weekend with low vis from the summit. Kinda cool to see the ice formations up top though...
Flanders - Sep 19, 2011 10:09 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2011
End of the Trip
Long climb, clouded in.
Travler559 - Aug 14, 2011 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2011
we did it
Had a most spectacular climb up the South Sister. Late start @ 11am, but was able to make it to the summit in just over 5 hours, we stopped and took a lot of pictures as this was a first time for my friend. Meet some great people along the way and was amazed at how many kids were on the mountain 8,9 10 year old kids climbing right next to us and usually passing us. Amazing views from the summit. Very grueling the last 1000 feet, but well worth every moment on top. Met up with another first timer, "Florida Matt" we called him, tallest mountain he had been on is 700 feet, if you call that a mountain. He made it to 7800 feet in his moccasins,1 banana, 1 cucumber, some jerky and one water bottle, we helped him out with snacks and extra fluids. This was a tester climb for us as we are going to attempt to scale Mt. Adams in 2 weeks. So we loaded down our packs a headed up. So worth the soar legs today, but nothing a soak in the hot tub won't cure.
RangerMark - Aug 12, 2011 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2010
Good early climb
Peak was still entirely snowcovered, which meant I didn't see a single person the whole day. Had the mountain to myself, great views.
kdonaldson - Aug 7, 2011 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2011
South Ridge
With snow still covering about 50-60% of the trail this late into the season I thought I would give it a go hoping the snow would keep away the crowds. Left the trailhead at 6:20 with my dog, passed about 10 people on the lower section in the trees. Met a guy named Ryan about half way up and we hiked the rest of the way to the summit. Arrived on summit about 10:35 (4hrs 15 min) at a moderate pace. The snowfields were frozen on the way up so you will need good poles and boots, or get over onto rocks. Beauty day - stayed on the summit until noon, eating, talking to others as they came up. Could see all the way to Adams in the north and almost to California to the south. Ryan was heading over to middle so I headed down and hiked with Brent and Becka and their dog Rio. Our dogs got along well. 2:15 minutes down with some exciting glisading on the upper snowfields allowing us to make great time.
srobinson - Jun 29, 2011 6:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 1997
No Prep
Climbed South Sister with some friends on a very nice day many years ago.
Levi - Jun 28, 2011 3:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2011
Friends first mountain
A buddy of mine was ready to see what this mountain climbing business was about. We had planned to walk in and camp but getting to the TH late we set up the tent there. Snow all the way from the road to the summit. Started at 6am, summit at 1pm, and back to the car at 5pm. Great day on the mountain and from what I know we had it all to ourselves.
funwithdunk - Feb 27, 2011 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2010
South Sister Summit
Hike to the top of South Sister
It's a non-technical but very demanding climb of the state's third-tallest peak.
About the Hike: Oregon's third-tallest mountain has a path to its top. Admittedly, the trail up 10,358-foot South Sister is exceedingly steep, long and rugged, but no technical climbing skills are required and the rewards are great.
From the summit - a broad, snowy crater with a small lake - you can see half the state. If this sounds too demanding, here's a secret: the loop to Moraine Lake, halfway up the mountain, is just as picturesque. This lower hike avoids the final trudge up cinder scree, yet still offers views 100 miles south to Mount McLoughlin. What's more, the weather's better here. The summit often generates its own little cloud, complete with whiteouts, wind, and a miniature blizzard
mnpalerm - Feb 20, 2011 6:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2010
Climber's Trail
I hit the trailhead at 6am, ended up passing about 15 people and still wasnt first to the top! Luckily the first party left upon our arrival so we had the summit alone for about 10 minutes. 30 minutes later there were 15+ people on top. Besides the crowd, the climb rocks and the views are outstanding!
belowfellow - Feb 16, 2011 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
pumice
2 months in a foot cast due to a broken foot. I climbed this pile of choss on the first day out of the cast. I will come back again when there is snow.
Just a big pile of rocks, good view though. Next time I'll climb it when there's still snow
LadyWawa - Jan 27, 2011 11:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2010
Green Lakes
I went up via the Green Lakes variation. Absolutely no people but certainly a faint and difficult trail to follow. It was like a big party at the summit and on the snow field near the summit (people make snow angels and stuff like that!). Fun!
RetroGear - Jan 9, 2011 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2010
South Ridge
Hiked the standard route with John Seward. Were first on top that day but was not long till the crowds were visible on the descent.
iquest4it - Dec 25, 2010 6:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
Where the hell did you just come from?
Although I have summited South Sister a few times before from the south cow trail, to conclude my Marathon I went straight up the north ridge, which was almost as hard as N. Sister. I crossed three steep glaciers and went up a never-ending 45+ degree scree field from hell, only to face 25 ft. of vertical, rotten, red rim rock. I crawled over the top and the guy standing there said "where the hell did you just come from". I've heard that more than once. :)
letskeepmovin - Dec 21, 2010 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 1998
finally did it after making Sisters Wilderness one of my favorite spots in Oregon
Lots of fun. One of my favorite wilderness areas in the Cascades.
runbyu1 - Nov 8, 2010 9:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
Awesome & Challenging Run
Ran up from the campground (Devil's Lake TH) and what a run it was. Got incredible pics and views of Broken Top, the other sisters, etc. We hit snow with a couple of miles to go which made things very interesting (in shorts & t-shirts) and very fun/beautiful. This is definitely one of the favorite mountains I've ever done. The trail is great and the views are awesome. We bombed/slipped/slid down in hurry and got back in time for a late lunch. VERY cool.
MichaelWW - May 28, 2012 5:03 pm
First time on Top of the WorldThis was the first 'real' mountain I had the chance to climb. The views on that particularly clear day (Rainier to Shasta?) have stuck with me for a long time.
This is a great peak for newbies and groups - we came up from the south (Devil's Lake) and didn't have any trouble getting to the top with a bunch of teenagers.
Cal - Apr 16, 2012 3:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2011
60 mph windI think we made it to the top...it was a white-out and wind almost blew my friend over the edge at one point. And still there were other people out!
mastercoog - Feb 19, 2012 6:44 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2011
Hiked standard route in mid-septemberHiked South Sister after climbing North and Middle a few days earlier in mid September. The temperature was 90 degrees the first day of our trip and was near or at freezing temperatures plus windy at Moraine Lake where we camped the last night. However as we climbed up the mountain, the wind stopped as we climbed past the cloud level at 7500 feet and was very pleasant and sunny on the summit. We spent extra time on the summit because we did not want to go back down to the windy weather down below.
Second successful summit on August 26th, 2012 with party of four. One team member got altitude sickness and almost did not make summit. Started climbing at 4:20am and had mountain mostly to ourselves. The summit was 40 degrees with about 30mph winds which felt very cold for summer climbing. Total climb time was 8h 40min starting from Moraine Lake.
santanoni - Jan 13, 2012 11:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2011
South SideCamping out at moraine lake we went up fairly early. My climbing companions had not been above 5000 in a long time, but we knocked it out in quick order and with no problems. One broken trekking pole from a boot ski by one of my group, no big deal.
bellinghamclimber - Oct 3, 2011 3:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2011
Season's changing...Looks like summer's finally over. Super cloudy weekend with low vis from the summit. Kinda cool to see the ice formations up top though...
Flanders - Sep 19, 2011 10:09 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2011
End of the TripLong climb, clouded in.
Travler559 - Aug 14, 2011 12:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2011
we did itHad a most spectacular climb up the South Sister. Late start @ 11am, but was able to make it to the summit in just over 5 hours, we stopped and took a lot of pictures as this was a first time for my friend. Meet some great people along the way and was amazed at how many kids were on the mountain 8,9 10 year old kids climbing right next to us and usually passing us. Amazing views from the summit. Very grueling the last 1000 feet, but well worth every moment on top. Met up with another first timer, "Florida Matt" we called him, tallest mountain he had been on is 700 feet, if you call that a mountain. He made it to 7800 feet in his moccasins,1 banana, 1 cucumber, some jerky and one water bottle, we helped him out with snacks and extra fluids. This was a tester climb for us as we are going to attempt to scale Mt. Adams in 2 weeks. So we loaded down our packs a headed up. So worth the soar legs today, but nothing a soak in the hot tub won't cure.
RangerMark - Aug 12, 2011 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2010
Good early climbPeak was still entirely snowcovered, which meant I didn't see a single person the whole day. Had the mountain to myself, great views.
kdonaldson - Aug 7, 2011 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2011
South RidgeWith snow still covering about 50-60% of the trail this late into the season I thought I would give it a go hoping the snow would keep away the crowds. Left the trailhead at 6:20 with my dog, passed about 10 people on the lower section in the trees. Met a guy named Ryan about half way up and we hiked the rest of the way to the summit. Arrived on summit about 10:35 (4hrs 15 min) at a moderate pace. The snowfields were frozen on the way up so you will need good poles and boots, or get over onto rocks. Beauty day - stayed on the summit until noon, eating, talking to others as they came up. Could see all the way to Adams in the north and almost to California to the south. Ryan was heading over to middle so I headed down and hiked with Brent and Becka and their dog Rio. Our dogs got along well. 2:15 minutes down with some exciting glisading on the upper snowfields allowing us to make great time.
srobinson - Jun 29, 2011 6:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 1997
No PrepClimbed South Sister with some friends on a very nice day many years ago.
Levi - Jun 28, 2011 3:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2011
Friends first mountainA buddy of mine was ready to see what this mountain climbing business was about. We had planned to walk in and camp but getting to the TH late we set up the tent there. Snow all the way from the road to the summit. Started at 6am, summit at 1pm, and back to the car at 5pm. Great day on the mountain and from what I know we had it all to ourselves.
funwithdunk - Feb 27, 2011 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2010
South Sister SummitHike to the top of South Sister
It's a non-technical but very demanding climb of the state's third-tallest peak.
About the Hike: Oregon's third-tallest mountain has a path to its top. Admittedly, the trail up 10,358-foot South Sister is exceedingly steep, long and rugged, but no technical climbing skills are required and the rewards are great.
From the summit - a broad, snowy crater with a small lake - you can see half the state. If this sounds too demanding, here's a secret: the loop to Moraine Lake, halfway up the mountain, is just as picturesque. This lower hike avoids the final trudge up cinder scree, yet still offers views 100 miles south to Mount McLoughlin. What's more, the weather's better here. The summit often generates its own little cloud, complete with whiteouts, wind, and a miniature blizzard
mnpalerm - Feb 20, 2011 6:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2010
Climber's TrailI hit the trailhead at 6am, ended up passing about 15 people and still wasnt first to the top! Luckily the first party left upon our arrival so we had the summit alone for about 10 minutes. 30 minutes later there were 15+ people on top. Besides the crowd, the climb rocks and the views are outstanding!
belowfellow - Feb 16, 2011 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
pumice2 months in a foot cast due to a broken foot. I climbed this pile of choss on the first day out of the cast. I will come back again when there is snow.
OOG - Jan 27, 2011 11:25 pm
Devils LakeJust a big pile of rocks, good view though. Next time I'll climb it when there's still snow
LadyWawa - Jan 27, 2011 11:26 am Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2010
Green LakesI went up via the Green Lakes variation. Absolutely no people but certainly a faint and difficult trail to follow. It was like a big party at the summit and on the snow field near the summit (people make snow angels and stuff like that!). Fun!
RetroGear - Jan 9, 2011 11:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2010
South RidgeHiked the standard route with John Seward. Were first on top that day but was not long till the crowds were visible on the descent.
iquest4it - Dec 25, 2010 6:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
Where the hell did you just come from?Although I have summited South Sister a few times before from the south cow trail, to conclude my Marathon I went straight up the north ridge, which was almost as hard as N. Sister. I crossed three steep glaciers and went up a never-ending 45+ degree scree field from hell, only to face 25 ft. of vertical, rotten, red rim rock. I crawled over the top and the guy standing there said "where the hell did you just come from". I've heard that more than once. :)
letskeepmovin - Dec 21, 2010 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 1998
finally did it after making Sisters Wilderness one of my favorite spots in OregonLots of fun. One of my favorite wilderness areas in the Cascades.
runbyu1 - Nov 8, 2010 9:51 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
Awesome & Challenging RunRan up from the campground (Devil's Lake TH) and what a run it was. Got incredible pics and views of Broken Top, the other sisters, etc. We hit snow with a couple of miles to go which made things very interesting (in shorts & t-shirts) and very fun/beautiful. This is definitely one of the favorite mountains I've ever done. The trail is great and the views are awesome. We bombed/slipped/slid down in hurry and got back in time for a late lunch. VERY cool.