Our Chemeketen club climb of South Sister changed when Kirk Kraschel injured his ankle on Broken Top on Saturday 9/28 and was unable to be the leader-assist for South Sister the next day. Greg Phillips and Mike Niemeyer were camping at the devils lake trailhead and were able to connect with a Mazama group led by Greg Scott that, by chance, had two spots open on their team. The climb Sunday with teh mazamas was in ideal weather a a chance to make new friends. On the descent we ran into Tim and Robyn Smith's party headed for the summit.
For future reference, here is Robyn Smith's prospectus:
South Sister weather
Elevation Gain: 4,911’; Round Trip Distance:11 Miles
Chemeketan Rating: Scramble – non technical
Driving Directions: From Salem: Follow OR-22 East for 81 miles until the highway merges with US-20 at Santiam Junction. Continue on US-20 for 46 miles towards Bend. Merge onto US-97 South towards Mt Bachelor/Klamath Falls, and continue to follow the signs on the Cascade Lakes Hwy 28.5 miles towards the Mt Bachelor Ski Resort. Continue past Mt. Bachelor 6.5 miles until you come to a Devil’s Lake Trailhead sign. Take a left into the parking area and go all the way in and around to the north end of the lot.
Route Description: Climbing South Sister this time of year provides a snow free approach from the Devil’s Lake TH. There are no technical skills required, just good physical fitness as it will be a long day with some decent elevation gain. We start the approach hike from the Devil’s Lake Trailhead, winding our way up through the steep forest until we emerge onto a vast plateau. Our world opens up as we spend the next 1.5 miles climbing on low angle trail meandering us above Moraine Lake. The trail will lead us North up to the Lewis Glacier but we will remain on a snow free “path”. For the next mile, we will experience the steepest part of the climb as the route ascends to the crater rim. From there it is a short walk across the crater to the summit. We will descend the climbing route.
Sun, Sept 28 5:45am Meet at the Devil’s Lake TH with day packs ready to go. (5,447’)
6:00Start approach hike
7:30 Arrive at the top of the forest trail (6,665’)
10:30 Arrive at ridge below Lewis Glacier (8,804’)
12:00 Arrive at summit
1:00pm Depart Summit
5:00 Arrive back at cars
6:00 Gather at restaurant of choice for climb debriefing and summit certs
9:00 Back to Salem area
Reference/Maps:
Bond, Barbara I., 75 Scrambles in Oregon, (The Mountaineers Books, 2005), pp. 64-67
Sullivan, William L., 100 Hikes in the Central Cascades, (Navillus Press, 2002), pp. 130-131
Dunegan, Lizann, Hike America Oregon, (Globe Pequot Press, 2001), pp. 220-225
South Sister, OR, 7.5 minute quadrangle by USGS; USFS Deschutes National Forest
Emergency Contacts:Bend Ranger District, 541-388-5664; Deschutes County Sheriff (Search & Rescue) 541-388-6502; 911Deschutes County Road Department, 541-388-6581
Climb Team:
Robyn Smith
Kirk Kraschel
Gregory Phillips
Mike Niemeyer
Tim Smith
Daniel Domrose
Jeff Howell
Geoffrey Carden
Liisa Carden
Pamela Wombacher
Shauna Ballard
Eric Noon
South Sister weather
Elevation Gain: 4,911’; Round Trip Distance:11 Miles
Chemeketan Rating: Scramble – non technical
Driving Directions: From Salem: Follow OR-22 East for 81 miles until the highway merges with US-20 at Santiam Junction. Continue on US-20 for 46 miles towards Bend. Merge onto US-97 South towards Mt Bachelor/Klamath Falls, and continue to follow the signs on the Cascade Lakes Hwy 28.5 miles towards the Mt Bachelor Ski Resort. Continue past Mt. Bachelor 6.5 miles until you come to a Devil’s Lake Trailhead sign. Take a left into the parking area and go all the way in and around to the north end of the lot.
Route Description: Climbing South Sister this time of year provides a snow free approach from the Devil’s Lake TH. There are no technical skills required, just good physical fitness as it will be a long day with some decent elevation gain. We start the approach hike from the Devil’s Lake Trailhead, winding our way up through the steep forest until we emerge onto a vast plateau. Our world opens up as we spend the next 1.5 miles climbing on low angle trail meandering us above Moraine Lake. The trail will lead us North up to the Lewis Glacier but we will remain on a snow free “path”. For the next mile, we will experience the steepest part of the climb as the route ascends to the crater rim. From there it is a short walk across the crater to the summit. We will descend the climbing route.
Sun, Sept 28 5:45am Meet at the Devil’s Lake TH with day packs ready to go. (5,447’)
6:00Start approach hike
7:30 Arrive at the top of the forest trail (6,665’)
10:30 Arrive at ridge below Lewis Glacier (8,804’)
12:00 Arrive at summit
1:00pm Depart Summit
5:00 Arrive back at cars
6:00 Gather at restaurant of choice for climb debriefing and summit certs
9:00 Back to Salem area
Reference/Maps:
Bond, Barbara I., 75 Scrambles in Oregon, (The Mountaineers Books, 2005), pp. 64-67
Sullivan, William L., 100 Hikes in the Central Cascades, (Navillus Press, 2002), pp. 130-131
Dunegan, Lizann, Hike America Oregon, (Globe Pequot Press, 2001), pp. 220-225
South Sister, OR, 7.5 minute quadrangle by USGS; USFS Deschutes National Forest
Emergency Contacts:Bend Ranger District, 541-388-5664; Deschutes County Sheriff (Search & Rescue) 541-388-6502; 911Deschutes County Road Department, 541-388-6581
Climb Team:
Robyn Smith
Kirk Kraschel
Gregory Phillips
Mike Niemeyer
Tim Smith
Daniel Domrose
Jeff Howell
Geoffrey Carden
Liisa Carden
Pamela Wombacher
Shauna Ballard
Eric Noon
