I am taking my 13yr old son on his first big backpacking trip starting Sunday 8/30 and ending Thursday 9/3. We plan on starting around 5PM from Pole Creek Trailhead heading towards Camp Lake on a figure 8 loop (via Chamber Lakes) including a summit of South Sister and cross country from Green Lakes to Camp Lake. I have a few questions that it would be greatly appreciated if people have some insights to share. Thanks in advance!
– Is a bear canister needed or is a rat sack (metal mesh bag) sufficient?
– Anything dicey about the cross country sections from Camp Lake to PCT and Green Lakes to Camp Lake? In generally I stick to trails though I am comfortable using GAIA app on my phone.
– I’ll be camping Sun-Wed nights; will it be an issue getting a spot at Morraine/Green/Camp Lakes if we pull in after 6PM (looks like only can camp in designated spots there)
– Are side trips to Eileen/Husband and North Mathieu Lakes worth it?
-Better to summit South Sister from the trail from Morraine or Green Lakes? From Green Lakes it looks like its more of a use trail than official. We’ll probably leave our gear by our lake campsite.
– Anything else I should consider?

