Climbing South Sister

from Green Lakes

July 2003, Don & I decided to trudge up South Sister but to make an overnight of it by first camping at Green Lakes, a very popular spot with camping at designated sites only (and finding those sites wasn't easy). At the trail head a very enthusiastic representive of the forest service was greeting everyone and answering questions. He did ask our route up the mountain (SS-1) and then advised us to take the route out of Moraine Lake. SS-1, he said, was fairly technical. With that we strolled up the trail passing some sightseers and admiring the water. Have I mentioned mosquitos yet? We both had been taking large amounts of thiamine (vitamin B1) an old folk medicine mosquito repellent. After entering the woods, I soon was slapping on the tried and true repellent. Don lasted a bit more but not much.

Any way, it's not quite four & a half miles into Green Lakes, a group of 3 lakes right about timberline at 6500 feet. We made camp and set out to find the beginning of SS-1 so we would be at least headed in the correct direction the next morning.

South Sister from camp

After crossing a few streams, we came to this Not a good looking trail.

Scampering higher isn't helping, but it is pretty.

Finally a real trail. Don is always smiling. He thinks it's fun. I think it's work.

Got to look at the big picture Broken Top beyond Green Lakes.

And the little picture

Finally the day to climb. SS-1 was trail at times; sometimes a choice of 2 or 3 trails; and other times it was make your best guess.

A level spot SS-1 joins the main trail just ahead.

Looking up to where we need to go. Well, I guess we really don't need to go.

Looking down the main trail. Moraine L in distance	Looking up main trail	I'm glad we didn't take that trail!

Higher up the trail and yes there really is a trail thru this stuff.

The top and yes	they don't line up

The summit is 10,358 feet. We traveled 2.6 miles from Green Lakes for an altitude gain of about 3800 feet. There is a path around the rim but as the clouds moved into the north obscuring any views we opted to rest in a wind break; take off our shoes; have a snack; and visit with a couple people. The trip down was uneventful.

There is life even where it looks barren.

Okay, we often didn't follow the same path down, because we glissaded down several of these snow fields rather than walk, stumble down the rocky route.

Back at the lakes we take a final look north; pack up our gear; head to the car and home. A really good trip.