Most times, if one steps back a bit and lets the trail unfold, good things happen. An earlier trip to Sisters was canceled due to bad conditions, and last year just didn’t work, so I was due to visit Sisters Wilderness. After all the changes avoiding fires, heat and / or smoke, a big rainstorm hit the PNW. Weather cooled off, fire risk reduced and air quality in 3 Sisters Wilderness was back to good. I swapped out a Pamelia Lake overnight permit for an Obsidian TH 3 Sisters permit. Oh my … did the trail provide!
The Route
- Started Monday August 19 at 6:00am from Obsidian TH
- Monday: Obsidian trail to Glacier Way to PCT to Le Conte Crater trail to Moraine Lake (camp)
- Monday after dinner: hike up South Sisters Climbers’ trail 1000 ft above Moraine Lake
- Tuesday: Moraine Lake to Greenlakes sunrise back to PCT and NOBO to Reese Lake (camp)
- Wednesday: Reese Lake PCT NOBO to Mini Scott Spring; return to car via Glacier Way trial
Trail Conditions
All trails (except Chambers Lakes) were in best condition in years wrt blowdowns and maintenance. PCT is tired after the bubble came through. Most of remaining PCT hikers were Europeans and such a joy to meet – just the best people! No stock seen (though road apples) and dog levels were manageable. Campsite areas were not full – even Greenlakes.
Day 1 – Obsidian TH to Moraine Lake
With headlamp on at 6:00 up Obsidian trail to junction with Glacier Way. Taking Glacier Way adds minor distance but passes by Sisters Spring, one of the two best water sources in Three Sisters Wilderness.
Before reaching PCT, an early view of both sky and mountain
Once on PCT, Sisters Spring is not far, but the water level in this little pond caught my attention – seemed low for mid-August after a big rain.
Sisters Spring is pure magic. It starts underneath this rock pile in two small holes and then becomes a full-blown creek within 100 feet and then Obsidian Falls.
After Obsidian Falls, the PCT keeps crossing meadows looking up to Middle and South Sister all the way past Mesa Creek. I had a group of 4 friends too (those are 2 different deer btw – look at their skin – one of them might be sick).
After Mesa Creek, the route dumps on Wickiup Plains and the scenery changes to dry, dusty lava moraine edged flatness. There are views though!
Once upon the ridge above Moraine Lake and the South Sister Climbers trail, the campsite and South Sister were welcoming below.
I camped in favorite spot #20 around the edge of the lake but closer to the lake than those up on either ridge. Of the 22 sites at Moraine Lake, about 8 were filled Monday. I saved the blue supermoon for the morning ….
Night 1 – South Sister Climber Trail
After a quick dinner, tent setup and a rest, I went back up to South Sisters Climbers trail toward the summit. South Sis was socked in at the top, but almost to the last lake was clear … Broken Top was clear however. There were a good number of hikers descending and none had a clear summit.
Left top to right bottom: looking down to Moraine Lake, Broken Top, looking southwest from above, Broken Top with a cloud hat, and finally, South Sister topped in clouds.
Day 2 – Moraine Lake to Greenlakes sunrise to Reese Lake
The plan was to wake up very early and get to Greenlakes at sunrise – about 4 miles from Moraine Lake – I left campsite at 5:00. Blue supermoon and clear skies were perfect above the lava moraine on the way to Greenlakes.
Standing on the plateau above Greenlakes, sunrise just painted pictures …. I sent family a video from this point – remarkable!
Along the way back to Moraine Lake, flowers showed in the light that I had missed in the dark. Back at Moraine Lake, perfect timing for South’s reflection.
Before stopping for the night, I went up the Chambers Lakes climbers trail from Reese Lake intending to go to Camp Lake. Trail conditions were not that good between Chambers Lakes, so I stopped at the top of ridge. Water levels and glaciers were low based on last experience.
Day 3 – Reese Lake to Mini Scott Sprint return to Obsidian TH
Camping at Reese Lake is an experience as there are about 20 tentsites scattered around and when I climbed in my tent there were maybe 6 tents. When I left at 5:00 with headlamp there were at least 15 – PCT hikers plopping down last minute.
The blue supermoon sill held the early morning sky … I hardly needed my headlamp.
Middle Sister stole the show this day. Sunrise and clouds were better than any movie I’ve ever seen. North and South Sister joined the dance too!
After turning around at Mini Scott Spring, it was back to modern life in the city.
Data Geek Corner
- Carbon Karma: 4 hours driving = 12 hours hiking objective
- Actual: 24 hours moving
- Bank: +12 hours
- Cumulative 2024 = +75 hours
- Hike start times: M – 6:00, T – 5:00, W – 5:00
- Length: 63.5 miles
- Elevation 8,042 gain:
- Pace: n / a (day hikes only)
- Weather: Sunny – partly cloudy, 45-70 degrees
- Description: backpacking light kit, low mesh trail runners, trekking poles and fast day 1
- Tracks
- Monday | Monday Night | Tuesday | Wednesday
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