Our annual Fourth of July backpacking trip started at a new trailhead this year. With permits for Devil's Lake TH sold out, we got a permit for Green Lakes TH just down the road. This year, Jacob was able to drive out from Boise to join us which left four of us hiking up the trail on Saturday morning.
The lack of snow this year was apparent as soon as we started up the trail: no mosquitoes. Previous years left us swatting bugs and forgoing stops to keep from getting bitten. While Fall Creek was likely a mosquito haven a couple months earlier, it left us with cooler temperature, shade, and views of numerous waterfalls.
A couple miles in we diverged from Fall Creek choosing to head toward Moraine Lake rather than continue toward Green Lakes. From Moraine Lake, we climbed toward South Sister, dropping our packs at the tent site before continuing toward the top.
The late ascent left the summit rather deserted with only a few other groups high on the mountain. We enjoyed a snack on top taking in views that stretched all the way to Mt Rainier. As afternoon shadows began to lengthen, we made our way back down to the tent.
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| Fall Creek |
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| Fall Creek on the way up to Green Lakes |
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| Broken Top |
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| Lava flow |
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| Moraine Lake |
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| No snow this year |
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| Climbing toward South Sister |
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| Looking back down toward Moraine Lake |
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| South Sister |
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| South Sister |
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| Jacob on the way up to South Sister |
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| Mom and Dad on the climb up to South Sister |
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| Middle Sister and North Sister |
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| Looking north east off the summit of South Sister |
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| North Sister and Middle Sister |
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| Green Lakes from the summit of South Sister |
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| Looking South |
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| Broken Top |
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| Mt Bachelor with a small fire in the distance |
Our second day began in stark contrast to previous years with a rocky descent on bare ground to Green Lakes. Previous years had seen us make this descent almost entirely on snow. Looking across toward Broken Top, the entire drainage facing Green Lakes was free of snow.
When we reached Green Lakes, we were able to take the trail that crosses between two of the lakes due to low water. Typically we divert to the north of the largest lake as the water crossing between the lakes is between waist and chest deep.
Flowers and bright green vegetation along the lakes and creeks contrasted the rocky slopes above. Again we were thankful for the lack of mosquitoes as the moisture of the lake basin has created a healthy mosquito population on prior trips.
From Green Lakes, we climbed to the ridge on Broken Top. The snow-free trail eliminated the route finding of previous years making the ascent to the ridge quicker than usual. We stopped for a short snack on the ridge before continuing to the summit.
With loose rock on the ridge, the climb up Broken Top is rugged, but not technical until the crux roughly 100 vertical feet below the summit. As we climbed up the ridge, we saw another group of hikers stopped shortly below the crux.
Reaching the group, we learned that one hiker wanted to summit, but was uncomfortable going alone as it was her first time on Broken Top. She joined us as the rest of her group waited below.
The crux is about 10 to 15 vertical feet of climbing. It's probably Class 3 climbing as it is a little exposed; a fall would not be good. We took our time to get up this stretch, then continued to the summit. Above the crux, the rest of the climb is no more difficult than the climb below the crux.
The summit gives expansive view of the Three Sisters, Tam McArthur Rim, Bachelor, and the surrounding high country of the Three Sisters Wilderness.
We diverted off the trail on our way down from Broken Top to stop by a creek and refill with water. I am always struck by how barren the landscape is around the Three Sisters compared to the vibrant growth around water sources.
After hiking along Green Lakes, we began the climb back to our camp site. The afternoon began to cool as we crested the rocky climb and made our way across the short snow stretch to our tent.
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| Broken Top |
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| Broken Top |
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| Waterfall above Green Lakes |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Monkeyflower |
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| South Sister from Green Lakes |
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| North Sister |
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| Small fish in Green Lakes |
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| South Sister and Middle Sister from the Broken Top Ridge |
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| South Sister |
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| The Three Sisters |
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| Tam McArthur Rim from Broken Top |
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| Mom and Dad descending Broken Top |
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| A piece of a rainbow just above the skyline |
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| Descending from Broken Top |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Frog |
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| Descending toward Green Lakes with all the Three Sisters in view |
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| Indian Paintbrush |
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| Broken Top |
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| Mt Bachelor |
Our final day started the same as the day before: descending into Green Lakes. From Green Lakes, we followed the Broken Top trail toward Cayuse Crater before descending down to Soda Creek.
Our descent took us through open meadows, forested hillsides, and lush vegetation along creeks and springs. The gentle rolling trail made for easy hiking. We passed a few groups on the way out, but the return trip was much less trafficked than other trails in the area.
