Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Trip recommendations, current conditions, and other trail related Q&A
Post Reply
Susy
Posts: 3
Joined: July 15th, 2019, 9:11 am

Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by Susy » July 15th, 2019, 9:14 am

Hello,
Has anyone been on Three Sisters Loop yet this year? Still snowy, or is it passable now?
Thanks!

User avatar
Born2BBrad
Posts: 1086
Joined: May 1st, 2011, 7:26 pm
Location: The Dalles

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by Born2BBrad » July 16th, 2019, 7:06 am

This last weekend I did some hiking on trails around Broken Top. Some of those trails included part of the Three Sisters loop. There was significant snow in certain areas, requiring GPS navigational assistance. We passed a mother and daughter doing the entire loop, so people are doing it already. They were very prepared.
Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again.
- Jean Luc Picard

Link to GPX tracks
Link to Trip Reports

Susy
Posts: 3
Joined: July 15th, 2019, 9:11 am

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by Susy » July 16th, 2019, 7:19 am

Thanks for the update!

User avatar
retired jerry
Posts: 14398
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by retired jerry » July 16th, 2019, 9:32 am

when I've done it in July, it was snowier on the west side, from Glacier Way to Wickiup plain

User avatar
retired jerry
Posts: 14398
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by retired jerry » July 16th, 2019, 9:37 am

a couple weeks from now would be better

then there'll be those awful biting flies :)

Schrauf
Posts: 92
Joined: June 17th, 2014, 10:28 am
Location: NE Portland

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by Schrauf » July 16th, 2019, 7:21 pm

Reports on Portland Hikers and Reddit from trips in the last week have indicated ample snow (maybe 30% coverage?) on the west side in the area Retired Jerry mentions, but all very passable. Probably no ice axe needed but microspikes helpful if you hit steeper slopes in the morning when relatively solid.

Susy
Posts: 3
Joined: July 15th, 2019, 9:11 am

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by Susy » July 22nd, 2019, 8:26 am

Thanks, everyone!

User avatar
RobFromRedland
Posts: 1094
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Snow on Three Sisters Loop trails?

Post by RobFromRedland » July 22nd, 2019, 6:34 pm

I did the loop last week and the outer loop is mostly snow free - when you get above 6000' or so the snow gets deeper, but below that it is pretty sporadic and easy to cross. At Camp Lake there is still pretty significant snow however.

Bugs are rather prevalent pretty much everywhere (although we didn't feel them much at Camp Lake due to the snow). If there is no breeze or you are not moving they will eat you alive if you don't have spray on.
20190714_180802.jpg
Snow on the north side of Camp Lake - 7/14/2019
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: WOW! What a ride! - Hunter S. Thompson

Post Reply