South Sister Hike

The last time I attempted to climb South Sister was way back in the late 70’s. I was probably 8 or 9 and my family hiked into Green Lake and camped out with friends. During the night a horrible storm passed through bringing rain, sleet & snow. By morning everything was white and clouded in. Needless to say, we didn’t even come close to gaining much elevation (other than that of Green Lake).

This time I certainly gained a greater altitude before blisters and an uncomfortable nephew set our sites a little lower than the summit. The trip had a singular goal of placing my mothers ashes on a  mountain she loved to hike.  After an initial scattering at a lower elevation, one all who loved her could attend (even if they had cancer and couldn’t walk very far), it was decided that Tom, Amee & Zac would disperse the remainder. I felt I couldn’t be left out since the mountain summit still called to me. This turned out to be a good thing since Tom was ill for the week prior.  So the three of us (sans Tom) took my mother up the mountain as far as Zac & I could manage.

Zac and Amee ready to hit the trail at the Devil’s Lake Trailhead!

We encountered quite a few patches of snow.

Viewing the mountain

Zac hanging out by the sign.

Checking the feet for blisters.

Amee checking messages on her phone. Reception was quite good in some areas!

Broken Top around noon

Zac & I on the trail up!

View up the mountain from where we scattered her.

Tree where I started spreading the ashes

Super Amee! She headed up the mountain to Teardrop lake while we headed down.

Later in afternoon: view of Broken Top.

Moraine Lake and Mt Bachelor

Alpine Lupine. Very low growing for a reason.

A plant I didn’t recognize but thought it might make a good print!

Zac at the end! What a trooper!

Finished. Mission accomplished. Ready to get my boots off and into some open shoes.

Maybe I’ll summit it in September if things work out.