South Sister in Early June
Posted: May 6th, 2019, 8:57 am
My wife and I will be doing a trip through Oregon in early June and I wanted to show her the Three Sisters area. I've done the 50 mile loop and climbed South Sister in August a few years ago, but I know this area gets legendary snow. We're fairly experienced and I am not worried about the fitness or snowy hiking in general, but I wanted to see what this group thinks conditions might be like.
My plan is to do this in two days with a camp at Moraine Lake or off-trail near the intersection (coming from the south), summit and then down the 2nd day.
My Questions:
My plan is to do this in two days with a camp at Moraine Lake or off-trail near the intersection (coming from the south), summit and then down the 2nd day.
My Questions:
- Will it be melted out below 6,800ft or should I plan to camp on snow? Where is the snow-line generally that time of year?
- What are the rules around camping near Moraine Lake, just in designated spots and they're first-come first-served?
- Will micro-spikes and poles be enough for the snow or will we need ice-ax and crampons? I'd like to stick to spikes if I can get away with it
- Would snowshoes be a waste of time or will the snow be fairly packed by then?