The Three Sisters wilderness is a volcanic playground in Central Oregon. With 4 massive volcano’s within its boundaries you can find great ski lines on every aspect. Though the area has an abundant snowpack it is most popular for late spring corn. Our access would be via the Pole Creek Trailhead on the East side of the Wilderness. The plan was to put up our tent at Camp Lake and ascend both the South and Middle Sisters. Our first day would be focused on the Southwest Ridge of the Middle Sister. Then the following day we would ascend the South Sister from the northwest before descending the Prouty Glacier Headwall.
Mount Mazama is a world famous volcanic complex in Central Oregon and is mainly known as Crater Lake. At one time it was around 12,000 feet but 7,700 years ago lost over 3,000 feet. What was first an eruption quickly collapsed into a massive crater which slowly filled with rain water. Now Crater Lake is the deepest freshwater lake in the United States and sees tourists from around the world. The Klamath Native Americans believed that Mount Mazama was inhabited by Llao, their “Chief of the Below World.” The English name for the volcano, “Mount Mazama”, came from William G. Steel who was the founder of The Mazamas climbing club
Mount Bachelor Writing and photos by Scott Stugelmeyer With the long approaches taking there toll on our feet, we nixed our final plans of driving to Sisters to hit the North and Middle Sister. Instead, since Dan’s feet were in horrible condition, we decided to knock off Bachelor quick since we were there, and head … Read more
We awoke to sun beaming into our tent in the Thielsen sno-park. Another late start. However, looking across the lake to Bailey, we saw bluebird skies. Ominous clouds seemed to be held over the Crater Lake area to the south, and after a slow moving start, and much deliberation, we decided to go for it.
Friday the 13th, 4:20 pm, and we were rushing through our checklists making sure that we had everything. We were going to need gear for an eight day trip to Oregon. We finally loaded up and were out, making time to visit some friends for a beer in Portland. A short nap along the way, and we pulled into the Diamond Lake Resort early the next morning to buy our sno-park permit. We arrived at the Mount Thielsen sno-park and clumsily threw our gear together for a rushed ascent up Thielsen. There was a plan of being there earlier, but things changed. We quickly decided to get one good off the top.
Friday the 13th, 4:20 pm, and we were rushing through our checklists making sure that we had everything we were going to need for an eight day trip in Oregon (excluding driving days down and back). We finally loaded up and were out, making time to visit some friends for a beer in Portland. A short nap along the way, and we pulled into the Diamond Lake Resort early the next morning to buy our sno-park permit. We arrived at the Thielsen sno-park and clumsily threw our gear together. We would have to make a rushed ascent up Thielsen. Though the plan was to be there earlier, but things change, so we decided we could probably make one good lap of it.
The Old Chute is by far the most popular route on Mount Hood. Starting at the Timberline Ski Resort parking lot at 5,900 feet it is a straightforward route to the summit. Being 11,239 feet the volcanoes is the highest peak in Oregon State and possibly the easiest access. That being said it is one of the most popular glacial climbs in the world being non technical with a road going half way up. The hardest section is the last 1,000 feet up the Old Chute or Hogsback Ridge.
This area can be dangerously busy especially on weekends with long lines walking up under loose rocks. A helmet is highly recommended as well as crampons and an ice axe but not necessary. From the summit it is a 5,300 foot ski run back to the parking lot. After spending two days up at Mount Adams we decided to head down to Mount Hood.
Arriving at the Timberline Parking Lot to Climb Mount Hood via the Old Chute
We arrived at the Timberline Parking Lot on Mount Hood around 9 p.m. By now it was raining hard and Dan, Kyle and I crammed into a small Mazda instead of setting up a tent. Though there wasn’t much space we were happy to stay dry as we quickly fell asleep.
Waking up in the morning we were happy to see the front moved on and the sky was clear. Looking up Mount Hood there was a single cloud covering the Old Chute route. Knowing that soon it would burn off we decided to take our time getting ready. By now it was 7:30 in the morning and we decided to get breakfast at the Timberline Lodge. After a buffet breakfast we were skinning up the Palmer Glacier around 8:45 A.M.
Our destination the summit of Mt Hood
It was a quick climb and we made our way up the edge of the ski resort. Before long we were above the Palmer Chair and making our way to the upper sulfur vents. Climbing up we could see large amounts of rhime ice on the upper mountain rocks. It was a stark contrast to the blue skies and dark colored rocks. Though there wasn’t much winds the snow was still firm so we decided to hike instead of skin.
