Lane County High Point Trip Report

South Sister (10,358 ft)

Date: September 1980
Author: Ken Jones

The third highest peak in Oregon. A spectacular viewpoint, and the highest lake in Oregon sits inside the summit crater.

From Bend, head west on the Cascade Lakes Hwy (SR 372 and FR 46) to the Fall Creek/Green Lakes trailhead on the north side of Sparks Lake. Follow the trail northward to Green Lakes (about 4.5 miles and 1100' gain). This is the place to camp if you choose to do the peak as part of an overnight trip; otherwise, start early.

From the west side of the largest of the Green Lakes, head up the large watercourse draining from the mountain. A climbers' path can be followed most of the way. Pass south of the Lewis Glacier, then turn north between the Lewis and Clark Glaciers and follow the ridge to the summit. Guidebook time is estimated at 4-5 hours from Green Lakes to the summit, for about 2 miles and 3800' of gain.