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A wondrous traverse over the Cascade Crest through the alpine heart of the Three Sisters Wilderness.


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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.8

KM

Point to Point

7,418' 2,261 m

High

6,440' 1,963 m

Low

654' 199 m

Up

1,191' 363 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

50%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

This trail is inside the Three Sisters Wilderness and the usual federal wilderness area regulations and restrictions apply here; practice Leave No Trace (LNT) backcountry skills and ethics, camp 100 feet from fragile areas, bury human waste at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. This trail is usually closed by snow between November and May. In some years, snow can linger on parts of this trail into August.

Need to Know

There are no established campsites along this route but there are a few flat, exposed places beside the Chambers Lakes. There are good campsites at Camp Lake and a few places to camp where this route meets the PCT. But water that is flowing higher in Separation Creek may not make it down to the PCT, so fill-up as you descend along the creek or hike up along the creek to find flowing water. Reese Lake, the pond along the PCT just north of Separation Creek, usually has water in it but be sure to treat it well before drinking any.

Description

This well worn use trail connects Camp Lake (Lake 6952) on the east side of the Cascade Crest with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at Separation Creek on the west side of the crest. Along the way it passes the Chambers Lakes, while giving impressive (and unique) views of Middle and South Sister. The terrain through here is multi-colored moonscape of volcanic rocks, with blue lakes, white patches of lingering snow, and few trees.

From the east, the trail starts from the end of the Camp Lake Trail at Camp Lake and climbs a bright red cinder slope to the Cascade Crest. It then descends a bit and passes along the south sides of the Chambers Lakes before crossing another low divide. From there it descends to Separation Creek and follows along the south side of the creek to the PCT.

From the west, where this trail leaves the PCT may be a little hard to find once the meadow it starts in fills with summer vegetation. Just start east along the south side of Separation Creek and you'll soon connect with it.

Contacts

Shared By:

BK Hope

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#1954

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Trail Rankings

#63

in Oregon

#1,954

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1,945 Since Feb 14, 2020
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Photos

South Sister from the divide west of Camp Lake.
Feb 15, 2020 near McKenzi…, OR
Looking west down Separation Creek with The Huband (peak) in the distance.
Feb 15, 2020 near McKenzi…, OR
Where the traverse joins the PCT on the west side of the crest.
Feb 15, 2020 near McKenzi…, OR
Middle Sister from Chambers Lakes.
Feb 15, 2020 near Sisters, OR
Looking west over the westernmost of the Chambers Lakes.
Feb 15, 2020 near McKenzi…, OR
Where the trail (arrow) leaves Camp Lake; South Sister is on the right.
Feb 15, 2020 near Sisters, OR

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Jul 16, 2015
BK Hope
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