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Overview

Located 30 miles west of Bend, Oregons third highest summit is another very popular destination for experenced. With the main bootpath usually free of snow by August, receives a lot of traffic in the summer months. The summit is a special masterpiece. It is presently a dormant volcano which erupted last at 1200 AD. That being said there have been a number of tremers around the volcanos which scientist have been monitoring for activity. Like many of the other volcanoes in the are South Sister is a stratovolcano and is 250 larger then it's older neighbors, North and Middle Sister. It is also the easiest of the three and receives the most traffic. Teardrop Lake which sits inside the crater is the highest exposed lake in Oregon. It's aqua color is a added special treat for anyone who makes the 12 mile roundtrip 5000 elevation gain to its summit.

The easiest way up South Sister is via the South Sister Trail located on the south side of the mountain. This trail is mostly YDS Class 1 all the way up the mountain and there is little use of hand all the way to the summit rocks. On a hazy day you can see 8 well known volcanoes and on a clear day many more. It may not be the Class 4 challenge some would want but I would recommend South Sister to any advenced hiker looking to bag a 10000 mountain without bringing all the technical gear. And don't forget...