From 2003 through 2007, I hiked around Mount Hood each summer, which is a great hike that I recommend. However, in 2008 there was a large washout in Eliot Canyon which made this hike more difficult, so I looked for another similarly challenging hike with great alpine scenery. Mount Adams has a very difficult segment with no trail, steep canyons, and large stream crossings. Mount Rainier is too long and too crowded. There's no trail on the east side of Mount Jefferson. That left me with the Three Sisters, a forty-two-mile loop.
I'd hiked up the South Sister and spent a little time on the north and east sides of the Three Sisters. There are no steep canyons with difficult stream crossings, like on other Cascade peaks. Before starting my hike, I checked out McKenzie Pass and the Dee Wright Observatory. There are some amazing lava fields in all directions, with great views of the Cascades all around. Dee Wright is a stone structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. There's a short paved path to the top and pointers to visible peaks.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction
- The First Mile
- Three Sisters Facts
- More Info
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# PHOTOS: 14
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Three Sisters Backpacking
Sounds like a great trip. I noticed you used a lot of homemade gear. Do you have a pictures of this gear? I always like to see other peoples designs.
Mmmm, the Cascades! That looks like an exciting loop. You would happen to have a GPX file you'd be willing to share… :)
I have a gpx file but I don't know how to attach it
Maybe Addie can help me
Maybe I can write up some descriptions of some of my homemade gear
Thanks for the review and pictures. Do you have an overview map you could attach?
Ditto James' request.
Nice travelogue and beautiful pictures. I am jealous of those in the PNW, or anywhere without 40' of impermeable clay underfoot.
Sorry to join in turning this into a gear thread, but SUPPLEX UNDERWEAR?!!?? I've been aching to try the MYOG Supplex shells, but now I'm just frightened.
Jerry,
I’ve done most of that loop, and agree that there is some great scenery in that area (if the weather cooperates). It’d be great to see some more photos if you have them.
Tom
P.S. Here is a link to my 2008 trip report. If you go to my flickr page from there, then turn on the “Show Info” for further descriptions about the photos.
BPL Trip Report
Flickr Slideshow
I have a frameless pack and when it's warm, my shorts get wet.
Cotton underwear – bad.
Supplex is the best combination of cotton-like feel and when it gets wet it's not too clammy and dries out quickly.
Sure cotton underwear sucks… but there are plenty of synthetics or wool base underwear that work well.
> Supplex is the best combination of cotton-like feel and when it gets wet it's not too clammy and dries out quickly.
If it works for you… great. I like supplex for pants, and slightly lesser as a shi… but I found it a bit to rugged for my more sensitive parts. I have enough problem with it irritating my elbows… I would not be excited having it next to my privates.
–Mark
I agree, supplex probably not the best for private parts
It get's softer after you wash it a bunch of times
I'm planning a move to Oregon in the near future, so I love articles about great places to backpack there. Wonderful article and photos. Thanks so much.
portlandhikers.org has a lot of trip reports for oregon and washington
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