Broken Top

The glacially eroded Broken Top looms in the shadow of the South Sister.  A number of options for a summit approach are available from the Green Lakes trailhead.  A longer, less traveled trail leads to the east toward Todd Lake and winds through pockets of wildflowers. The crater towers over the eastern route as the trail swoops below the south face of the bowl and offers breathtaking views of the razor sharp teeth that define the dramatic form of the stratovolcano. Navigating through the fields of lupine one arrives at Green Lakes, where the cool water can bring relief to aching feet after a long day. The leisure climber can camp in one of the designated campsites around the lake and watch the reflection of South Sister dissolve as the sun dips behind the ridge and night falls.

The summit trail begins with a sharp incline, and the trail quickly erodes into crumbly basalt.  From the northwest ridge the trail rises above the tree line and gains views of the steep, snow covered northern slopes. From here you'll have views of the Three Sisters as they march north toward Mount Jefferson in the distance. The trail transforms into a wall of rock as the route nears the summit, with a short technical climb followed by an exposed traverse to the top that provides climbers with breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountain Range. Be sure to bring a rope for the technical section and a small climbing rack to protect the traverse to the summit.

Note: For more climbing information, contact the Sisters Ranger Station at 541.549.7700.