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10,085 ft · Cascade Range, Oregon
North Sister
North Sister is a 10,085 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Oregon. The standard route is the Via Pole Creek Trail: 15 mi, 5,032 ft of gain, Class 4.
North Sister at a glance
- Elevation10,085 ft3,073 m
- RouteVia Pole Creek TrailClass 4
- Distance15 mi5,032 ft gain
- Time10 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeCascade RangeOregon
Climbing the Via Pole Creek Trail
From Sisters, Oregon, use the Pole Creek trailhead and hike toward the Sisters, camping near Soap Creek or the Chambers Lakes. A Central Cascades limited-entry wilderness permit is required in season, reserved on Recreation.gov, so book ahead. North Sister is the most technical of the three, a Class 3 to 4 climb on notoriously rotten volcanic rock. The exposed Terrible Traverse and Bowling Alley couloir carry rockfall and fall hazard, so helmet, rope, crampons, and ice axe are essential. Start very early to cross the couloirs before they soften.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–45 L)
Water
Water filter
First aid kit
Whistle
Offline maps- Paper map
- Compass
GPS device
Satellite communicator
Headlamp
Power bank
Emergency bivy
Mountaineering boots
Gaiters
Crampons
Ice axe
Helmet
Rope
Harness
Carabiners
Belay device
Trekking poles
Base layer
Midlayer
Insulated jacket
Hardshell jacket
Hardshell pants
Warm hat
Midweight gloves
Buff
Sun hat
Glacier glasses
Sunscreen
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
What to watch for
- Technical climbing
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Steep exposure
- High altitude
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
- Remote location
- Icy summit conditions
- Route-finding difficulty
Quests with North Sister
Cascade VolcanoesPeaks near North Sister
Frequently asked questions
How tall is North Sister?
North Sister is 10,085 feet (3,073 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Oregon.
How hard is it to climb North Sister?
The Via Pole Creek Trail is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 15 miles with 5,032 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb North Sister?
Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the Via Pole Creek Trail, covering 15 miles with 5,032 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Is North Sister dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for North Sister?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Via Pole Creek Trail for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
What time should you start climbing North Sister?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 10 – 12 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to climb North Sister?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for North Sister?
The Via Pole Creek Trail starts at about 5,310 feet, roughly 4,775 feet below the summit.
Climb North Sister with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list