South Sister (8 Sep 2023)

[ACuteSushi]

Start: Devil's Lake

Parking: Large, paved lot. NW Forest Pass (electronic pay station available) and Central Cascades Wilderness Permit.

Distance: 12.5 miles RT

Gain: 4,800'

Summit: 10,300'

Directions: Followed South Sister Climber's trail from Devil's Lake. Crossed highway after 1/4 mile. Went straight at the two trail junctions. Trail started climbing steeper and got sandier. Got a rest on the ridge at the bottom of Lewis Glacier at about 8,700' then did the Red Mile. The Red Mile was VERY steep and loose scree. At the top of the Red Mile, the trail traversed to the left to the crater, slightly less steeply. Trail looped all the way around the crater (about 1/3 mile), with the summit on the opposite side.

Conditions: Mostly smooth, wide trail until a little after the second junction (with Moraine Lake Trail), then got increasingly steeper and looser until the traverse. The top was very windy and cold but no snow on the trail.

Worth it?: 100%

[bobcat]

Thanks for the report! How far ahead of time did you get your permit? Do you think there was the full complement of hikers for the day?

[ACuteSushi]

I did this with the Mazamas. The climb leader bought the passes 2 days in advance. We had a team of 5.

[Naturebat]

Thanks for sharing!

I also made it to the top of South Sister but a few days before you did.

I backpacked to the summit and camped at the top. It was super windy all night and morning for me.