Ever dreamt of scaling a mountain peak and then soaking in serene alpine lakes? Join us on our awe-inspiring 6-day, 28-mile backpacking adventure through the Three Sisters Wilderness in Oregon! Our journey began at Pole Creek Trailhead, where we tackled a challenging first day filled with downed trees on the way to our beloved Golden Lake. After a restorative zero day spent swimming and exploring the area, we embarked on shorter hikes to Green Lakes and Moraine Lake, savoring breathtaking vistas and enjoying delicious snacks along the way.
The true highlight arrived on day five, where we endeavored to conquer South Sister, the third tallest peak in Oregon. This ambitious 7.5-mile trek pushed us to our limits as we ascended through scree fields and past Lewis Tarn, ultimately reaching the summit with its incredible views and the highest lake in Oregon, Teardrop Pool. Though originally planned as a loop hike, we opted to descend the next day due to fatigue and a long term injury.
Our final day involved a leisurely morning at camp before tackling the final miles back to the Devil's Lake Trailhead, where we were greeted by a friendly face and a ride home. This unforgettable adventure left us brimming with gratitude for the beauty and challenges of the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Hike Dates: July 22-27, 2023.
Special thanks to Laura for be an ever constant companion, and to Abby for hiking in a super heavy re-supply only for us to hike out the next day!
#threesisterswilderness #oregonbackpacking #southsistersummit #backpackingadventure #pacificnorthwest #hikingtrip #silenthiking
Day 1 (July 22, 2023): Pole Creek Trailhead to Golden Lake (8.15 miles, 1836 ft elevation gain) - Overcame challenges with downed trees.
Day 2 (July 23, 2023): Golden Lake Zero Day (1.94 miles, 532 ft elevation gain) - Relaxed, swam in Golden Lake, and hiked to Golden Ponds for stunning views.
Day 3 (July 24, 2023): Golden Lake to Green Lakes (3.13 miles, 539 ft elevation gain) - Shorter hike, enjoyed scenic views and snacks.
Day 4 (July 25, 2023): Green Lakes to Moraine Lake (4.33 miles, 692 ft elevation gain) - Less distance, but felt tired due to previous exertion.
Day 5 (July 26, 2023): Moraine Lake to South Sister Summit & Back (7.63 miles, 4164 ft elevation gain) - Conquered the challenging climb, enjoyed Teardrop Pool and the summit views. Descended back to Moraine Lake.
Day 6 (July 27, 2023): Moraine Lake to Devil's Lake Trailhead (2.83 miles, 365 ft elevation gain) - Leisurely morning, final hike out, met a friend for a ride home.
0:00 Pole Creek Trailhead to Golden Lake
1:20 Golden Lake & Golden Ponds
2:52 Golden Lake to Green Lakes
4:07 Green Lakes to Moraine Lake
5:37 South Sister Summit Day
6:60 Hike Out to Devil's Lake Trailhead
7:45 Outtakes