Upper route - more difficult. Carver Lake from the west. That lake is the brownest from glacial silt lake I've ever seen. You can get an idea how unconsolidated the soil is. Recently deposited from the glacier. Sort of like quicksand to walk on. (Jerry Adams)

Upper route - very difficult. Glacier melts right before it gets to Carver Lake. This view is from west of the lake. There's a narrow strip of land you can walk on between glacier and lake. I had to walk in the water up to my calf a couple times. Walking above on the glacier would probably be better, but if you started sliding, you'd end up in the lake. (Jerry Adams)

Map of the area (Jerry Adams)

Map - don't do the upper route, do the lower route (Jerry Adams)

• Start point: Camp Lake
• Ending point: Green Lakes Pass
• Hike type: Connector
• Distance: 3.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 700 feet
• High point: 7700 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Seasons: Summer and early fall
• Family Friendly: No
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: No

Description

This route is an add-on to the Three Sisters Loop Hike. I have done this several times; it is now a favorite of mine. There are very few other people. There is a trail in spots. In other places, it's just cross country. There are some cliffs you have to negotiate around. It would be easy to get lost or injured, and there are few people that walk by to help. Only experienced off-trail hikers should attempt this route.

The lower route (see the maps) is definitely better than the high route.

Start at the south end of Camp Lake. Go about 0.2 miles east, staying at about 7000 feet elevation. Then there's a trail going up a steep forested slope. If you can find this trail, that's the key to this route. Hike about half a mile southeast to a pass at 7600 feet elevation.

Then you have to get down that steep slope of loose slate. Maybe it's easier to go a little southwest along the ridge to an easier way down the slope.

Now you're at about 7400 feet elevation. Continue about 1.6 miles, generally south, staying at about 7400 feet elevation. There's some up and down and some cliffs. There are sections with a trail. A few cairns mark the way in spots.

Next, go southeast about half a mile down to the Green Lakes Pass at 7000 feet elevation. This is some of the nicest alpine scenery you'll see anywhere - better than any of the other Three Sisters hikes in my opinion.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• [gpx file of the route]
  • Maps below show the terrain, not the route
• Green Trails Maps: Three Sisters #621
• Green Trails Maps: Bend – Three Sisters #622SX
• Geo-Graphics: Three Sisters Wilderness Map
• Adventure Maps: Three Sisters Wilderness Trail Map

Fees, Regulations, Facilities, etc.

• Self-issued wilderness permit
• Central Cascades Wilderness Permit required: $6 overnight permit; $1 per person day use (June 15th - October 15th)

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Camp Lake to Green Lakes Pass Add-on Hike

• Three Sisters Sept 11-16 2013
• South Sister Loop (An alternate) 8/27-29

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Camp Lake to Green Lakes Pass Add-on Hike

Guidebooks

• none

More Links

• Cross-Country in the Three Sisters Wilderness 16/18-Jul-2015
• A solo cross country circumnavigation of South Sister in early summer (Traditional Mountaineering)
• Three Sisters Wilderness: Willamette (USFS)

Page Contributors

• Retiredjerry