[[Automated TR generated by WentHiking]]
Have wanted to cowboy camp on top of South Sister, ever since first climbing it overnight to watch the sunrise a few years ago. Totally worth it! Following a series of delays, finally left the trailhead in 94° heat about 2:45 in the afternoon. The pack was heavy with water for the dry, dusty trail. Kind of brutal, even through the shaded forest. After breaking out onto the plains, the thermometer started showing 100°+. Nearly everyone was coming down. I did actually beat my old time up, but that was a purposefully slow ascent in the dark. On arriving at the crater rim, I was astonished to find a pool of meltwater waiting for me, in the now-50° and rather windy conditions. Oh well.
The crater is 1/3-mile across, but it's 1/2-mile to walk the rim over to the summit. Which was, of course, the first order of business. Along the way, I checked out each of the several windbreaks built along the rim, and chose the one I'd come back to. I was entirely alone on the summit at this point. Incredible! After enjoying the sunset for a good half-hour or more, it was time to head back to my chosen shelter, and setup camp.
Night fell quickly. And a thin layer of clouds obscured many of the stars. Crawling into the sleeping bag, and just staring at the heavens, was the rich reward for all the work it took to get here. Within the hour, I managed to drift off. Around 11:30, my good friend Jessbee arrived, having left the trailhead about four hours after me. We enjoyed catching up for awhile, and watching what remained of the Persied meteors whizz across the sky. By around 2:30am, the clouds were entirely gone, the moon had set, and the stars were simply magnificent! Never have I seen so many.
Wake-up call came early! Wanted to be up by or shortly after Nautical Twilight, when the sky really starts turning brilliant shades of purple, red, pink, yellow, before finally becoming blue again. We were not disappointed! Oh my, few places could compete for a better sunrise sky show!
After enjoying the sunrise, which words simply fail to describe, we packed up camp and began our way back down. Two folks crested the crater rim, just as we were about to go the other way. They were but a harbinger of what was to come. On the way down, we counted 441 people coming up! And probably two dozen dogs. Oh. My.. Gosh...! Unbelievable.
Our descent was rapid, taking less than three hours. The memories will last forever.
First real view of the volcano, after about two miles of climbing up through a forest.
Miles away, nearly the entire trail to the summit is visible!
Broken Top and Mount Bachelor, with Moraine Lake below.
Yep!
Lots of paintbrush, both red and yellow, on the mountain.
Moon over a distinctive ridge, with Mount Bachelor behind.
Intriguing lava extrusion.
Pausing to look back at where I'd come from, around 8200'.
Cresting a moraine about 8850', Lewis Tarn, below the Lewis Glacier, comes into full view.
Awesome layering in a spur jutting off the southeast side of the volcano.
Zooming back a bit, to take in the Lewis and (remnants of) Clark Glaciers.
Friendly neighborhood raven.
Close-up view of nearby Broken Top.
Broken Top
The red cinder ridgeline to the rim.
Shadow of South Sister starting to slip across Broken Top. Time to hurry up!
Last four folks bombing off the summit. Check out those ash clouds!
Sun slipping behind the summit as I near the rim.
Shadow selfie.
Rim Raven
Much to my surprise, I arrive to find a meltwater pool on the summit!
Couldn't quite get the angle for the sun to bounce off it, but still.
My friend, the rim raven, is so happy to have company again.
Looping around the east side of the crater rim, towards the summit.
Looking over the west rim into the setting sun.
Smoke from the fire near Tamolitch Pool added plenty of drama to the sky!
G'nite, Broken Top! South Sister's shadow fully shades the stubby neighbor.
Obligatory, right?
Windbreak kept the howling down to an aural experience only, thankfully.
First light!
Pastels dominate as the sun is still way below the horizon.
The colors intensify as sunrise approaches.
Summit Sunrise Solitude
6:03 sunrise.
The shadow is stretching for miles and miles at first.
Really can't be any happier than that!
Our views were limited to "only" 150 miles (Mount Adams) or so.
But view we did! Mesmerizing...
Looking over the edge, I spot an old piton with prayer flags attached.
No mistaking the volcanic profile of the shadow now! Teardrop pool about to thaw out?
Heading back to our little fortress, to pack up and move on out.
Home, Sweet Home
Our windbreak, with the summit behind.
Looking down on the Cascade Lakes area before dropping off the rim.
Despite temps not dropping below 40°, the meltwater pond had a fresh skim of ice!
The beginning of the onslaught heading our way.
Lots of brilliant penstemon mixed in with the rocks.
Lewis Tarn and Glacier
More yellow paintbrush and penstemon.
Back on the plains, nearly in the home stretch.
[timg=500]http://wenthiking.com/system/images/329 ... 1471290763[/timg]
Descending through the forest, awaiting the sound of water to signal the trailhead is near.
14.0 miles, 5500' gained, 1 night(s)