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Cloud Chasers

South Sister

A long ascent from Devils Lake to a volcanic summit above the Three Sisters.

10,358 ftOR • Cascades / South route • Strenuous volcano hike

Quest challenge 5/10 · Bold Ascent

Quest estimate for the described approach: endurance, altitude, and technical terrain combined. Conditions can change the difficulty. This is not an AllTrails or climbing grade.

A summit story waiting to happen.

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Meet the mountain

The approach: South Sister Climbers Trail from Devils Lake / Wickiup

Summit finish: The established South Sister summit crater-rim finish.

A long volcanic ascent to the highest of the Three Sisters. This entry represents the dry summer hiking route from Devils Lake, with a steep upper climb. Early-season snow creates a different mountaineering outing. Check the appropriate Central Cascades Wilderness permit and seasonal road access before setting a date.

TRAILCRAFT TO PRACTICE

Plan a sustained uphill day and conserve energy for the loose descent.

A SUMMIT QUEST TALL TALE · FICTION

The family photograph

Three mountain sisters tried to take a family portrait. One blinked, one disappeared behind a cloud, and one insisted the light was better yesterday. The photographer has requested a geological extension.

Explore the Field Guide’s peak legends →

Before you set out

Every good quest starts with a little map time. Explore these route guides and check the latest updates before setting a date.

Sources reviewed 2026-09-08. Check the links for current conditions. The approach above explains our challenge rating; logging this peak does not assign that route to your outing.

Official Devils Lake permit page ↗

Trailhead, summit destination, and permit planning.

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USGS Three Sisters field guide ↗

Volcanic terrain and summit-area context.

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Find AllTrails routes ↗

Search for an approach that matches your plan.

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Find recent trip reports ↗

Check dates and route choices; reports do not replace current land-manager information.

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“Find AllTrails routes” opens a Google search restricted to AllTrails trail pages, not a selected route. Completion is tracked in Summit Quest and does not sync with AllTrails.