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10,358 ft · Cascade Range, Oregon

South Sister

South Sister is a 10,358 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Oregon. The standard route is the Climber Trail: 12 mi, 5,036 ft of gain, Class 2.

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South Sister in the Cascade Range, Oregon

South Sister at a glance

  • Elevation10,358 ft3,157 m
  • RouteClimber TrailClass 2
  • Distance12 mi5,036 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeCascade RangeOregon

Climbing the Climber Trail

From Bend, Oregon, drive the Cascade Lakes Highway to the Devils Lake trailhead near 5,400 feet. Oregon's third-highest peak is a strenuous Class 1 to 2 trail and scree climb of about 12 miles round trip with 4,900 feet of gain, needing no technical gear in normal summer conditions. The final push up loose cinder to the summit crater rim is tiring. A Central Cascades Wilderness permit is required in season, so reserve ahead. Start early to beat crowds and afternoon storms, and carry water since sources are scarce high on the mountain.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water filter
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline maps
  • Paper map
  • Compass
  • GPS device
  • Satellite communicator
  • Headlamp
  • Power bank
  • Emergency bivy
  • Hiking boots
  • Microspikes
  • Trekking poles
  • Base layer
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated jacket
  • Hardshell jacket
  • Warm hat
  • Light gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Loose rock
  • Snow near summit
  • Ice near summit
  • High altitude
  • High winds
  • Storms
  • Low visibility
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Icy summit conditions

Quests with South Sister

Peaks near South Sister

  1. Middle Sister

    Middle Sister

    10,047 ft · 3.2 mi away

  2. North Sister

    North Sister

    10,085 ft · 4.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is South Sister?

South Sister is 10,358 feet (3,157 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Oregon.

How hard is it to hike South Sister?

The Climber Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 12 miles with 5,036 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike South Sister?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the Climber Trail, covering 12 miles with 5,036 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike South Sister?

The Climber Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 12 miles with 5,036 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Do you need microspikes for South Sister?

They help. Microspikes are on the gear list for the Climber Trail for icy or packed-snow sections, which are common outside summer.

What time should you start hiking South Sister?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 9 – 11 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike South Sister?

The usual hiking 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 South Sister?

The Climber Trail starts at about 5,450 feet, roughly 4,908 feet below the summit.

Climb South 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

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