The highest and easiest of the Three Sisters, Oregon's third highest peak is a non-technical walk-up great for those want great views and a long hike. Great early season ski descent. Crampons and ice axe not needed in late season. Summit crater has highest lake in the state. Summit bivys can be popular. One of the easier glaciated peaks to climb to become a Mazama member.

Activity Notes

UPDATE 9/12/23- Dawn has obtained the permit for the group. With the summit elevation of 10358 ft., South Sister aka "Charity" is Oregon third highest mountain. It is also the youngest of Three Sisters: the most recent eruption was about 2000 years ago. This climb is very suitable for recent BCEP grads as well as others who enjoy extensive mountain views. This time of the year the route is snow free, and does not require any special climbing gear. Plan to drive over Thursday night.  We will get very early start from the Devil's Lake Trailhead Friday morning.  (A NW Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required to park at the trailhead).  The climb to the summit is about 5.5 miles and gains 4900 ft. of elevation. We will descend the same route on the way down, returning to our cars for the drive home late in the day.  In your climb resume, be sure to include recent conditioning activity that indicates preparation for a climb of five thousand feet elevation gain. This is one of the 16 Peaks of the Cascades and a provisional lead for Dawn (to advance to a full climb leader).  
Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 190 miles
Driving Time from Portland 4 hours
Distance - Round Trip 11 miles
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
Relevant Books Oregon High by Jeff Thomas
Relevant Maps USGS 7 1/2 minute series: South Sister, and Geo-Graphics, Three Sisters Wilderness <href="http: "="" adventure="" c463="" starts-here="" title="On the Mazama Climbing and Hiking map page " www.mazamas.org="" your="">On the Mazama Climbing and Hiking map page <href="http: maps.google.com="" maps?f="q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=middle+sister&sll=44.103449,-121.769206&sspn=0.018891,0.04549&g=north+sister&ie=UTF8&ll=44.127028,-121.734352&spn=0.151065,0.363922&t=p&z=12"" title="Google maps">Google maps</href="http:></href="http:>
Awards Qualified 16 Major NW Peaks, Seven Oregon Cascades Peaks
FIND AN UPCOMING ACTIVITY ON THE Calendar