{"id":39441,"date":"2022-06-27T08:10:16","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T14:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=39441"},"modified":"2022-07-17T21:29:43","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T03:29:43","slug":"south-sister-cascade-range-oregon-8-26-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=39441","title":{"rendered":"South Sister, Cascade Range, Oregon (8-26-21)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Day 21 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast!<\/em><\/p>\n

7:40 AM, 41\u00baF, Cascade Lakes Highway, Dutchman Flats –\u00a0 <\/em>Luck of the Dingo, a miracle!\u00a0 A minor one, anyway.\u00a0 Twice during the wee hours, there’d been rain.\u00a0 Not much.\u00a0 Only light rain for 20 minutes the second time, and that was the big deluge.\u00a0 Then pre-dawn, Orion had been gleaming near the E horizon.<\/p>\n

And now?\u00a0\u00a0Mount Bachelor<\/span><\/a> (9.065 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> stood against a sky containing only a trace of the thick smoke that had completely hidden it when Lupe arrived yesterday evening.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Bachelor<\/strong>. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wooo-hooo, Loopster!\u00a0 We are so extremely lucky!\u00a0 Gonna be alright!\u00a0 Thar she blows!<\/em><\/p>\n

Fantastic news, SPHP!\u00a0 No trip to the coast today after all.\u00a0 But with a name like “Bachelor”, that mountain’s got to be a dude, not a she.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Bachelor isn’t what I’m talking about, Loop.\u00a0 Look over there!\u00a0 That’s why we’re here!<\/em><\/p>\n

9 miles NW, capped by a wispy lenticular cloud, a massive volcano was in sight.\u00a0 Hadn’t been visible at all yesterday evening, but there she was.<\/p>\n

Wow!\u00a0 That’s where we’re going, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yup.\u00a0 You’re in for a real slog today, Looper!\u00a0 Nearly 4,900 feet of elevation gain in 6 miles from Devils Lake.\u00a0 Most definitely a she-mountain, too!\u00a0 That’s South Sister<\/span><\/a> (10,358 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Sister<\/strong> (R) from Dutchman Flats<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
With help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9:02 AM, 46\u00baF, Devils Lake trailhead<\/em> – Surprisingly little activity, but lots of vehicles around.\u00a0 Over at the campground, people were stirring as Lupe set out on South Sister Climber Trail No. 36.\u00a0 Boardwalk bridges got her over a couple of streams in a flat region before reaching Cascade Lakes Highway.<\/p>\n

Crossing the highway, the American Dingo began an incredible journey.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Start of South Sister Climber Trail No. 36<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Immediately N of the highway, the trail was flat as it ran along the W bank of a lovely stream.\u00a0 However, a steady climb N up a forested valley quickly commenced.\u00a0 The stream soon wandered farther E.\u00a0 Lupe went over to see it tumbling down mossy stones, and get a drink.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the mossy stone stream.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Returning to the trail, the climb resumed.\u00a0 The stream soon disappeared entirely, whether up a side drainage or simply underground, SPHP never really knew.\u00a0 Little to see here except trees, but the trail was in excellent condition, no obstacles at all, and super easy to follow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading up the valley. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the Carolina Dog continued higher, the valley began to narrow.\u00a0 Half way up, just beyond the narrowest point, South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 leveled out, becoming sandy as Lupe entered a clearing where the valley widened out again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
In the narrows. A small clearing is just around the next bend (L). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The flat clearing was a welcome respite, but the march higher resumed as soon as Lupe got beyond it.\u00a0 Trail No. 36 began winding up steeper slopes than before, switchbacks helping to limit the rate of climb.<\/p>\n

Big rock formations eventually appeared off to the E.\u00a0 After getting fairly close to them, the trail turned NW.\u00a0 Looper had already gained a bunch of elevation.\u00a0 Encouragingly, it was beginning to look like she was about to climb out of the upper end of the valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Past the clearing, winding higher. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the rock formations. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Close to climbing out the N end of the valley? Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After reaching the NW side of the valley, the trail switchbacked NE.\u00a0 Soon it became clear that the American Dingo really was about to escape the valley!\u00a0 The trail turned N.\u00a0 From the top of a little rise, a magnificent sight – South Sister<\/span><\/a> (10,358 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>!<\/p>\n

Directly ahead, the trail sloped gently down to a junction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Out of the valley, with South Sister<\/strong> in sight! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the junction, Phase 1 of Lupe’s journey to South Sister, the 1.5 mile long trek up the long valley, was complete.\u00a0 The route she needed to take from here was completely obvious, just keep heading N for South Sister.\u00a0 Trail No. 17.1 offered other possible choices, either NE down to Moraine Lake, or W for parts unknown.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the junction with Trail No. 17.1. Lupe had come up from the L. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Signage at the junction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing N from the junction, Phase 2 of Lupe’s South Sister journey began.\u00a0 This was by far the easiest section of South Sister Climber Trail No. 36.\u00a0 A broad path wound through low hills of gritty volcanic soil that supported only scant vegetation other than scattered stands of pines.\u00a0 Elevation gain was minimal.\u00a0 In many places, the trail was nearly flat.\u00a0 The Carolina Dog even came to short downhill sections, although they didn’t amount to much.<\/p>\n

As the pines became scarcer, the increasingly open views became more deserty.\u00a0 In her fur coat, Lupe got hot, and often wanted to enjoy a shady rest whenever the trail got close to the trees.\u00a0 It was all extremely scenic, with South Sister nearly always looming ahead.\u00a0 The jagged peaks of Broken Top<\/span><\/a> (9,175<\/span><\/strong> ft.)<\/strong><\/span> were also often in view off to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing N from the junction. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
An early view of Broken Top<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On a flat stretch. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Sister<\/strong> ahead. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A bit closer. Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Progress was fast and easy, with only the short water and rest breaks to cool off in the shade slowing things down.\u00a0 As Loopster rapidly closed the remaining gap to the base of the mountain, South Sister looked more and more daunting based on sheer size alone.\u00a0 At one point, the Carolina Dog passed another trail on the R that came up from Moraine Lake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Continuing toward South Sister.<\/strong> Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
By the trail that came up from Moraine Lake. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Passing along the edge of a few small hills. South Sister<\/strong> (L of Center). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
A gnarled tree. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Looking back. Devils Hill<\/span><\/a> (7,080 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L). Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For quite a long way, South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 stayed near the E edge of the huge flat ridge Lupe was traveling N.\u00a0 Sometimes she enjoyed views down into the canyon to the E.\u00a0 From a few spots, it was possible to catch a glimpse of Moraine Lake.\u00a0 Hard to think about that, though, when South Sister was getting closer with every step.\u00a0 The mountain drew the eye like a magnet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting closer. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Sister<\/strong> (L of Center). Hodge Crest<\/span><\/a> (10,039 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (R). Photo looks N with help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Summit region<\/strong>. Photo looks N with lots of help from the telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Another glance over at Broken Top<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks ENE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trail eventually began drifting NW, away from the canyon which it was now essentially past.\u00a0 South Sister’s summit region vanished from view, hidden by the mountain’s lower slopes.\u00a0 Phase 3 was beginning, start of the ascent.<\/p>\n

How much higher do we have to go, SPHP?<\/em><\/p>\n

About 3,500 feet, Loop, over 2 miles.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sounded like a lot.\u00a0 Only 1,400 feet gained so far?\u00a0 Felt like it had been a long march already.<\/p>\n

The trail began climbing again.\u00a0 Slowly at first, but more steeply as Lupe went on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Climbing again. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For a while, trees were fairly numerous.\u00a0 No. 36 even wound through short stretches of forest.\u00a0 Higher up, trees were scarcer.\u00a0 The trail ran N some distance W of a rocky ridge capped by a line of cliffs.\u00a0 This ridge was considerably higher, but Lupe was gaining on it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Below the cliffs (R) of the ridge to the E. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ground was mostly gritty, loose soil.\u00a0 No doubt volcanic.\u00a0 Good-sized rocks were part of the mix, but the terrain wasn’t super rocky.<\/p>\n

So far, Lupe had seen only a few people, a large group way back at the very start, and a couple near the upper end of the long valley that had camped at Moraine Lake last night.\u00a0 However, as the trail steepened, Lupe began meeting more and more people on their way down.<\/p>\n

Those who had made it to the summit had been disappointed.\u00a0 The top of the mountain had been shrouded in fog.\u00a0 No views at all.<\/p>\n

The sky over South Sister was a beautiful, deep blue now, though.\u00a0 Seemed like a perfect day!<\/p>\n

Hah!\u00a0 Looks like the late Dingo is going to get the worm this time, Loop!<\/em><\/p>\n

Worm!\u00a0 I’ll have you know, I’m not climbing this beast for worms, SPHP!\u00a0 This monster ought to merit several chocolate coconut bars.<\/em><\/p>\n

Oh, my gosh, Looper!\u00a0 I forgot to bring any!\u00a0 I do have Taste of the Wild for you.\u00a0 Sorry, but that’s gonna be it.<\/em><\/p>\n

No chocolate coconut bars?\u00a0 Didn’t seem right at all.\u00a0 Taste of the Wild was nutritious, but like cake minus icing.\u00a0 Chocolate coconut icing to be precise!\u00a0 Nothing to be done about it.\u00a0 A miffed Dingo trudged onward, trying to make the best of it.\u00a0 SPHP plodded along behind.<\/p>\n

The mountain was getting steep.\u00a0 Looking back during SPHP’s breathers, Loop could see Devils Hill<\/span><\/a> (7,080 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> and Mount Bachelor<\/span><\/a> (9,065 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 She was also seeing evidence that this day might not be so perfect after all.\u00a0 Miles away, a wall of smoke or fog was now visible to the S and W.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Mount Bachelor<\/strong> (L), Devils Hill<\/strong> (R of Center) beyond Moraine Lake<\/strong>. The flat ridge that South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 runs along is at far R. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A light breeze was blowing out of the SW.\u00a0 Not good.\u00a0 SPHP kept an eye on the situation.\u00a0 Trouble seemed to be approaching, but quite slowly.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The approaching bank of fog and\/or smoke. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

C’mon, Looper!\u00a0 Let’s keep moving as much as possible.\u00a0 Afraid your Luck of the Dingo might run out on us.<\/em><\/p>\n

Fine, SPHP, but I don’t think I’m the holdup here!<\/em><\/p>\n

A line of trees stood along the upper rim of a really steep slope.\u00a0 Despite the urgency of some need for speed, SPHP only managed to plod along at a snail’s pace.\u00a0 Near the top, loose soil gave way to a series of small, solid rock ledges.\u00a0 Once up to where the trees were, a gray hill was visible off to the NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the steep slope leading up to the line of trees. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That hill was\u00a0Nipple Point<\/span><\/a><\/strong> (8,600 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0 The trail looped clear around the E side of it before turning NW.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Nipple Point<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Circling around Nipple Point (not shown). Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
On the back side, NE of Nipple Point<\/strong> (Center) now. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond Nipple Point, the trail ascended a long slope of very loose gray scree.\u00a0 At the top of this climb, Lupe reached a saddle SW of a big hill.\u00a0 An awesome sight was ahead!<\/p>\n

Still 1,500 feet higher, South Sister’s rust red dome towered beautifully above what remains of the Lewis Glacier, a turquoise meltwater pond nestled below it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
On the gray scree slope above Nipple Point. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Sister<\/strong> and the Lewis Glacier<\/strong>. Hodge Crest<\/span><\/a> (10,039 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> far R. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the NW, quite a few hikers were visible coming down along the edge of a colorful ridge of pumice overlooking the glacier and turquoise tarn.\u00a0 Several more were relaxing right here at the saddle.\u00a0 Still more than 150 feet higher, Lewis Glacier Peak<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0(9,017 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> was immediately NE.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 proceeds up the ridge beyond Lupe. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Hodge Crest<\/strong> (L) and Lewis Glacier Peak<\/strong> (R). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A rest break was taken at the saddle.\u00a0 However, the American Dingo couldn’t linger long.\u00a0 The wall of smoke or fog approaching from the SW suddenly seemed much closer now.\u00a0 Clouds were increasingly starting to hang around the top of South Sister before sailing off to the NE.\u00a0 As soon as SPHP could summon the energy to do so, Lupe resumed her ascent.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading higher. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Early on, Lupe passed a line of boulders strung out along the crest of the ridge.\u00a0 Beyond the boulders, she eventually worked high enough to gaze down on the Lewis Glacier slowly, inexorably, melting away in the sun.<\/p>\n

The scenery was fantastic!\u00a0 Even the ground was fascinating.\u00a0 Loopster climbed through distinct zones of red, yellow, grey, and black volcanic soils.\u00a0 Meanwhile, although skies were often still blue over South Sister, the wall of smoke and fog was steadily closing in.\u00a0 A procession of hikers was coming down the mountain.\u00a0 SPHP wondered where they had all started from this morning?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Boulders along the ridge crest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Seeking shade. Broken Top<\/strong> (R) and Lewis Glacier Peak<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks ESE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Near the Lewis Glacier<\/strong>. South Sister<\/strong> (L), Hodge Crest<\/strong> (R). Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Toe of the Lewis Glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Broken Top<\/strong> (far L), Lewis Glacier Peak<\/strong> (L), the saddle<\/strong> (beyond Lupe), Mount Bachelor<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Colorful soils along the edge. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The weary trudge higher went on and on.\u00a0 Can’t stop!\u00a0 Not for more than a moment or two to gasp for air.\u00a0 The top of the mountain seemed to get closer only at a snail’s pace.\u00a0 People streamed by.\u00a0 Everyone was heading down.\u00a0 They were all in great spirits!\u00a0 These climbers had been at the top when the sky was blue and the views were incredible.<\/p>\n

Whether or not Lupe could get up there in time to enjoy those views still hung in the balance.<\/p>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Making progress as time runs out. Broken Top<\/strong> (far L), Lewis Glacier Peak<\/strong> (R), Mount Bachelor<\/strong> (far R). Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
The approaching wall of smoke and fog. Photo looks SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Still hope! Blue skies over South Sister<\/strong>. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Angling NW, South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 left the edge overlooking the Lewis Glacier.\u00a0 Steep, although perhaps not quite as steep as before.\u00a0 Loopster met the last few stragglers coming down the mountain.\u00a0 At last, it finally started to look like the top couldn’t be much farther!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Getting there! Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Heh.\u00a0 Farther than it looked.\u00a0 Lupe kept climbing.\u00a0 She seemed to be only a few hundred feet from the top, yet more mountain kept appearing.<\/p>\n

Doomed!\u00a0 The wall of fog arrived, and the world disappeared.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Too late! Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2:55 PM, 52\u00baF, South Sister<\/span><\/a> (10,358 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, S rim<\/em> – Borne on a breeze now 10 mph out of the SW, fog streamed by as the rate of climb diminished.\u00a0 Near the end, South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 turned NNE.\u00a0 Fortunately, the fog was intermittent.\u00a0 As Lupe crossed a plain of red cinders, a small ridge of wild-looking rock was ahead.\u00a0 Reaching it half an hour after the fog first hit, the American Dingo passed a small cairn.<\/p>\n

Two people remained here, standing in a gray gloom along the edge of an enchanting, vaguely threatening, prehistoric scene revealed partially and only momentarily during sudden breaks in the cloud.\u00a0 They waved, but said nothing.\u00a0 SPHP waved back, then went with Lupe off to the W to take shelter from the rising wind among rocks of the volcanic ridge.<\/p>\n

The ridge was higher toward the NW.\u00a0 Between here and there, a cool fog streamed almost constantly out of the SW through a sizable gap.\u00a0 Despite the fog, Lupe could usually see at least part of an enormous crater before her.\u00a0 A glacier within sloped down from the W, meltwater trickling from its toe gathering in small pools below.<\/p>\n

Every now and then, fog quit coming through the gap.\u00a0 Then suddenly, the Carolina Dog would be in brilliant sunshine as the crater began to clear.\u00a0 Patches of blue sky, and much more of the crater were revealed.\u00a0 Occasionally, the true summit could be seen almost directly opposite Lupe’s position way over along the NE rim.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the S rim of the South Sister crater<\/strong>. Photo looks NE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Upper reaches of the glacier along the W rim<\/strong>. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ice near meltwater pools.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the time, though, fog hid everything that wasn’t close.\u00a0 For nearly an hour, Lupe spent most of her time curled up on SPHP’s lap, watching fog stream through the gap.\u00a0 South Sister’s crater felt primeval, wild and cold, like a hidden frozen piece of the world’s ancient dangerous past.<\/p>\n

A few latecomers arrived shortly after Lupe did.\u00a0 None stayed long, or ventured over toward the true summit, although one couple vanished into the fog off to the E for a little while.\u00a0 Most stayed only a few minutes before turning around and heading back down.\u00a0 One woman reacted with shock and dismay.\u00a0 The entire crater used to be filled with snow and ice!\u00a0 Even though Lupe and SPHP were amazed, what remained was evidently pitiful in comparison to what had once been.<\/p>\n

Actually, I’m shocked, too, Loop.\u00a0 Never expected this!<\/em><\/p>\n

Why not, SPHP?\u00a0 South Sister is a volcano!\u00a0 You said so yourself.\u00a0 What were you expecting?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yeah, I know.\u00a0 Just never really thought about it, Loopster.\u00a0 Since South Sister looks like a big red dome from a distance, I assumed the whole thing would be like that.\u00a0 A gentle stroll to a vast, featureless, rounded summit.<\/em><\/p>\n

Glad it isn’t, SPHP!\u00a0 A real volcanic crater with a glacier!\u00a0 Way better!\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

If anything, the weather seemed to be deteriorating.\u00a0 The wind blew harder, more and more fog streamed by.\u00a0 Fewer, shorter, brief episodes of sunshine.\u00a0 SPHP began to worry.\u00a0 South Sister was losing the battle with the fog.\u00a0 Finally, though, a break came.\u00a0 Suddenly, almost the entire crater cleared.\u00a0 Another rare moment when South Sister’s true summit was in view again!<\/p>\n

C’mon, Loop!\u00a0 Now’s our chance!<\/em><\/p>\n

Partially revived by the long rest, Loopster leapt to her paws and began following a well-worn use trail counter-clockwise around the crater.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Heading for South Sister’s true summit<\/strong> (Center). Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Along the E rim, conditions varied wildly.\u00a0 A gentle breeze beneath blue skies one moment, 30 seconds later, a cold, gray gale.\u00a0 Pausing to brace against the wind, Lupe surged forward whenever it let up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Along the lower E end of the crater<\/strong>. Photo looks NW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Fog moving in again. Photo looks NNE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Approaching the NE rim<\/strong> beneath temporarily blue skies. Photo looks NNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Sister crater glacier<\/strong>. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Near the true summit, the ridgeline was dominated by wild, jagged rock.\u00a0 Well below the top, Lupe picked her way through a geological jumble utilizing a maze of use trails.\u00a0 Once through the worst of it, she climbed to a bench only slightly below the highest rocks, discovering a survey benchmark with an arrow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Near the true summit. Survey benchmark<\/strong> (lower L). Photo looks WNW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
South Sister survey benchmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The true summit was a short, narrow ridge with steep drops along both sides.\u00a0 A knob at the S end was the absolute high point.\u00a0 Lupe couldn’t quite get to it, and wouldn’t have had room enough to sit up there, even if she could have reached it, but she did scramble up onto rocks only marginally lower 10 feet away.<\/p>\n

4:07 PM, 38\u00baF, South Sister, true summit<\/em> – Fog streamed past.\u00a0 Now 20 mph, the wind was cold.\u00a0 Alone in a gray world, way up at the top of mighty South Sister, Lupe stood like a champion, waiting for the next break that SPHP hoped and promised would soon arrive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the summit<\/strong>. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It did.\u00a0 Not totally, or for long, but a partially blue sky did reappear.\u00a0 SPHP quickly took the shot.\u00a0 Close enough for Dingo work!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Moment of glory on South Sister.<\/strong> Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Descending, Lupe lingered near the true summit only 5 or 10 minutes longer.\u00a0 Conditions weren’t all that pleasant, and fog soon returned.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Final moments in the true summit region<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe was halfway back to the S rim when the situation suddenly took a turn for the worse.\u00a0 Dense fog swept in on a frigid 30 mph gale.\u00a0 Even the trail vanished from view.\u00a0 Whiteout!\u00a0 Must stop.<\/p>\n

This is terrible, SPHP!\u00a0 We’ve over-stayed our welcome!\u00a0 Keep going!<\/em><\/p>\n

Can’t!\u00a0 Can’t see a thing!\u00a0 Stay close, Loop, or you’ll get lost!<\/em><\/p>\n

Was a storm moving in?\u00a0 The ferocity of the attack was numbing.\u00a0 Lupe huddled at SPHP’s feet.\u00a0 Hands were freezing.\u00a0 Seemed interminable, but couldn’t have been more than a few minutes.\u00a0 The worst was over.\u00a0 Still in the fog, but suddenly the trail reappeared.<\/p>\n

Onward!\u00a0 Puppy, ho!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Looking back toward the E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Along the S rim<\/strong> again. Photo looks W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4:33 PM, South Sister, S rim<\/em> – An hour and 38 minutes after arriving, Lupe stood again by the little cairn marking where South Sister Climber Trail No. 36 reached the S rim.\u00a0 Something had changed when that ferocious blast went through.\u00a0 The air was colder.\u00a0 No more glimpses of blue sky, or even of South Sister’s crater.\u00a0 Lupe would never see it again.<\/p>\n

A long way back.\u00a0 Definitely time to go.\u00a0 A last glance N into the fog where the crater should have been, and Loop started down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
By the small cairn (R) where Climber Trail No. 36 reaches the S rim. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Progress was great!\u00a0 So much easier going down!\u00a0 Lupe trotted along a path of loose, red cinder in an otherwise gray world.\u00a0 Losing hundreds of feet of elevation, she was already getting close to where the trail reached the edge overlooking the Lewis Glacier before she escaped the cloud and could see again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
The Lewis Glacier<\/strong> (R), appears as Lupe descends from the cloud. Photo looks SSE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Exhausted, yet the evening return was amazing and fun!\u00a0 South Sister’s summit never did escape the cloud again, but beauty was all around.\u00a0 Incredibly, Lupe had it all to herself, seeing no one at all.\u00a0 The evening gloam was well advanced by the time Carolina Dog reached the deserted trailhead near Devils Lake.\u00a0 (8:09 PM, 57\u00baF)<\/em><\/p>\n

Alright, SPHP!\u00a0 We did it!\u00a0 Can please I have a chocolate coconut bar now?<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
South Sister,<\/strong> Cascade Range, Oregon 8-26-21<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Adventure<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Prior Adventure<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

GPS Track by Ben Sidhom (10-13-18)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose from Lupe’s Summer of 2021<\/span> Dingo Vacations to New Mexico, Wyoming & the West Coast Adventure Inde<\/strong><\/span>x<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, Dingo Vacations Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Day 21 of Lupe’s 3rd Summer of 2021 Dingo Vacation to the West Coast! 7:40 AM, 41\u00baF, Cascade Lakes Highway, Dutchman Flats –\u00a0 Luck of the Dingo, a miracle!\u00a0 A minor one, anyway.\u00a0 Twice during the wee hours, there’d been rain.\u00a0 Not much.\u00a0 Only light rain for 20 minutes the second time, and that was … Continue reading South Sister, Cascade Range, Oregon (8-26-21)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1416],"tags":[105,106,1515,1548,26,104,524,1546,1547],"class_list":["post-39441","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1416","tag-american-dingo","tag-carolina-dog","tag-cascade-range","tag-devils-lake-trailhead","tag-dingo-vacations","tag-lupe","tag-oregon","tag-south-sister","tag-south-sister-climber-trail-no-36"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_2297-scaled.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39441","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39441"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39441\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41200,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39441\/revisions\/41200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}