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North Sister, the fourth highest point in OR, and toughest of the Three Sisters, requires a range of climbing abilities and gear. The route is unpredictable and can have anything from exposed ice to moderate snow and 3rd class rock. Later season tends to be easier conditions. Large parties can take a long time on this route. The most popular approach for this route from the east, via the Pole Creek trailhead and the the Hayden Glacier, but you can also approach from the Collier Glacier
Activity Notes
This climb of the 'Black Beast of the Cascades' will leave from a convenient meeting place, TBD, at 7:00 am on Friday, August 28. We'll drive to Eugene for lunch and then to the Obsidian Trailhead. We'll gear up and hike into camp near the Arrowhead Lake.
Saturday morning, we'll wake up early and hike east and gain the South Ridge and ascend it to the summit pinnacle. After some route-finding along the ridge, we'll come to the Great Traverse, where we will likely set up a fixed line in order to cross it. Then another fixed line up the Bowling Alley to the false summit, Then it's a brief 3rd/4th class scramble to the summit.
We'll celebrate like it's halftime and then begin the descent, rappelling down the Bowling Alley, recrossing the traverse and hiking down the South RIdge, back to camp.
After a leisurely night in camp, we'll hike out on Sunday morning, have another meal in Eugene and then back to town.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 170 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 3 hours |
| General Route Info | To Pole Creek Trailhead: From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 242 (Mackenzie Pass Highway) approx. 1.6 miles to Pole Creek Spring Road, Forest Road (FR) 15. Turn left here. Proceed on this road (which becomes FR #1524) about 11 miles to a dead end trailhead. The road is mostly graveled, well signed and in good condition. There is a bathroom but no water at the trailhead. From Pole Creek trailhead (elevation 5,300) hike south 1.6 miles to the junction with Green Lakes trail which comes in from the right. After another 0.7 miles cross Soap Creek and leave Green Lakes trail for Camp Lake Trail. Continue along this trail approx. 1.5 miles to a climbers path which leads west 1.2 miles to a camp spot at timberline, ≈6,880 ft, on level dirt/gravel with nice views and water. Total distance is about 5 miles and 1,600 ft elevation gain to camp. Most of the trail offers little in the way of shade because the 2012 Pole Creek fire burned through here leaving few mature trees to shade us until getting past Soap Creek. |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Relevant Books | Oregon High by Jeff Thomas |
| Relevant Maps | USGS 7 minute series, North Sister, Geo-Graphics, Three Sisters, and USFS Three Sisters Wilderness |
| Awards Qualified | 16 Major NW Peaks, Seven Oregon Cascades Peaks |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
