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Few Hike to Camp Lake - But it is Worth it!
Camp Lake is at the Base of South Sister
Although many will hike to Green Lakes and enjoy the experience of the lakes in the valley between South Sister and Broken Top, relatively few hike to Camp Lake and see South Sister so close from the north. The hike to Camp Lake (Pole Creek trailhead just outside of Sisters) takes you through several miles of burned forest before hikers enter living forest, so it can be hot and dusty in the summer. However, once hikers reach unburned trees, the hike becomes more pleasant. In recent years, the fallen trees of the burned forest have been cleared from the path, so scrambling over, under and around fallen logs was not an issue in 2024.
On August 3, 2024, the air in Central Oregon was better than it had been earlier in the week (many Oregon forest fires have impacted air quality), so the hike to Camp Lake was relatively clear. Views of North and Middle Sister stood out among the dead forest, but it was also interesting to see the new growth in acres of manzanita, grasses, some wildflowers, and young trees.
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Tackling the creek (the North Fork of Whychus) can be challenging. In 2024, the natural log bridge which had provided a way across was broken and covered with water. Hikers need to walk upstream to find a safe place to step across via rocks in order to access the path on the other side of the creek. Past the creek, the hike climbs into new forested and alpine areas, some covered with wildflowers.
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Throughout the hike, the views towards North, Middle and South Sister tower over the landscape and seeing them close is fascinating. Being able to pick out glaciers and streams and evidence of avalanches - along with ski tracks down snowfields from adventurous daredevils, can create a lot of conversation and wonder.
Arriving at Camp Lake in August, 2024, the weather was windy and cooler than in past years. Many who come this distance will camp overnight, exploring nearby Chambers Lake or other trails in the area. Some have been observed climbing Middle Sister as well from the lake. For those who wish to return in a day, after a rest at Camp Lake, the hike back to the Pole Creek Trailhead goes fairly fast as it is mostly downhill. Doing the hike in a day will result in 15 miles and around 2150 feet in elevation gain.
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