Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
"Middle" in difficulty between South and North Sister, this is a nice climb with a great approach - just about 5 miles and 1500 vertical feet to great camping at treeline (from the east). A bit of snow travel, gentle slopes, and one pitch of steep near the top make this a good route for those looking for a moderate multi day trip. This approach to Middle Sister is from the Frog Camp/Obsidian Trailhead at 4,750 feet. You will find a beautiful camp area at Arrowhead Lake (44.1705, -121.8127)
From camp you will follow a fairly gentle, 30 degrees or less, grade in snow up to the saddle between north and middle sister. From there, ascend an exposed rock spine to the summit. You are likely to encounter loose rock and one steeper snow pitch. An alternative route from the West side is more of the NW Ridge, more of a boulder-hop staircase than the scree of the North ridge proper.
Activity Notes
From Portland: Take I5 to Salem. Take the exit for highway 22 towards Detroit Lake. Follow highway 22 to Sisters, Oregon. We'll meet at the Sisters USFS Ranger Station at 10:00am on Fridy, July 05, 2019.
To the trailhead: From Sisters head west on Hwy 242, the old McKenzie pass. Continue past the Dee Wright Memorial Observatory. Just past the Scott lake turnoff, on your right, you will see the trailhead road (3531A) on the left. This trailhead is also known as Obsidian Falls.
Round-trip mileage from Portland is about 350 miles. The Mazamas suggested gas contribution is $0.14 cents per mile, or $49 per person to a maximum of $145 per car, payable to the driver. One-way drive time is about 3 ½ hours. The most dangerous part of the trip may well be the drive home, and you don’t even have a belay here. Please carpool for safety and take a nap en route if you need to.
Permits / Fees (Trail, entrance, parking):
USFS trailhead parking permits are needed at this trailhead. Note that you only need a parking pass if you park with in ¼ mile of the actual trailhead. Move your car and you don’t have to pay.
Free Wilderness Permits are required for all entry into the Three Sisters Wilderness from Memorial Day to October 15. These can be obtained at self serve kiosks at the trail head or at ranger stations. A Trail Pass Parking Permit is required to park at or near all trailheads. These are $5 for single use or $30 for an annual pass. They can purchased at ranger stations, at an Iron ranger on FS Rd 15, from various other sites around the area, or via phone 1-800-270-7504. There is no water at this trailhead.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 160 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 3 hours |
| General Route Info | Middle Sister is the fifth highest point in Oregon, offering a variety of routes and stunning views of the central Cascade Range. While the North Ridge via the Hayden glacier is not a technically difficult route, it can be a long day and all party members must be fit and rested. The first ascent was done as early as 1860. All of the Sisters offer opportunities to try out the famous “portable handholds” of the Cascades. Yummy milkshakes and good coffee in Sisters await the returning party. - Deschutes National Forest: Sisters Ranger District (541) 549-7700; Summitpost.org- Middle Sister |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Interesting Features | Glacier(s) |
| 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 |
