Context on how this year fits into the last decade: the 2025\u201326 winter was one of the driest in the Cascades in years. Peak snow water equivalent in the Central Cascades hit only about 34% of normal in February 2026 \u2014 the third-lowest peak on record, behind only 2015 and 1981. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The adventure started at Soda Creek \/ Green Lakes TH off the OR Cascades Lakes Hwy. Driving up that long 44 mile stretch, the first sunrise was a good omen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Regardless of the dry conditions, for example the out-flow stream from Moraine Lake was bone dry, weather was perfect with lows around 45 and highs around 80. Clear clean skies and a sliver moon helped with early morning photos before moon set. The area is so dark that even this small moon made a headlamp ‘extra’ in open areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Wildflowers were not as plentiful in the higher alpine meadows, but the lupin and paintbrush test = perfect wildflower peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Day 1 was a quick backpack from TH to Green Lakes to pitch tent near the stream on Broken Top Trail; I was the only tent in that section with the remaining 4-5 tents around the lakes. From there, a light pack ramble to No Name Lake and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Inside the No-Name mini-caldera and up to the Hand, there were almost 20 people. I’ve never seen more than 5 before. A USFS forest ranger checked my permit on the way back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day 2 started in dark with headlamp weaving around Green Lakes toward Golden Lake. South Sister caught the first sunlight against the last Green Lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Golden Lake was a tent city with more than 10 – I’d never seen more than 2-3 before. I was there very early in am, so just circled through down to Park Meadow and through that old burn scar to stream crossing. Small ponds were fading but a possible fresh black bear poo made sense around the meadows – peak vegatable eating! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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From Meadow Park it was a long backpack day to Moraine Lake to camp two nights, after deciding that afternoon to take advantage of weather and summit south sister with small pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day 3 was South Sister climbing day. I started around 4:15 with headlamp on walking out of Moraine Lake with 3 other ‘bouncing headlamps’ above on the climber trail. As sunrise hit …<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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An earlier party left the summit as I arrived at the rim; the ‘real summit’ was mine alone. The cascades to St. Helens … Middle Sister so close I could almost touch it and looking down on Broken Top wasn’t even close to same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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As the crowds started up that last section, I went down with a great view of Moraine Lake and turning around, where I’d been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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South Sister geologically has two lives – 1 as old as the last glacial period and 1 less than 2500 years old – a recent eruption on the south side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old formations from the summit (to the east)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The newer volcanic left-over formations on the south side during the descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Given the snowpack conditions and lack of food few large animals were seen. However, yellow bellied marmots were out – but all single individuals in at least 4 places. Only 1 was not camera shy<\/p>\n\n\n\n