Many Views Loop - 7/5/25

Ridge with Many Views

Desert foothills from break Area

Descent from Overlook to South Sister Saddle

Starting up Old Mill / South Sister Trail

This loop is new to the club, however, it is probably not new to a lot of hikers. For a few years, we have been doing Ridge with Many Views, Ricks Saddle and Ricks Saddle Loop. This smaller loop is more palatable. Three Lady Hikers began from the Pay Phone Trailhead and headed up the Old Mill Picnic Area road. We veered to the right when the Old Mill Trail started. On up the gentle hill, we veered right again. This is the South Sister Trail. It begins with a gentle uphill through trees. As the trees get thicker, the trail begins climbing a little more. This is the nicest part of the climb. Next, the trail gets more serious. We came to a clearer area where the washes that flow down from the ridges above come together. The trail sticks with the main wash.

Spring along South Sister Trail

Sue and Susan start the steep climb to Saddle

Starting the steep climb to Saddle

The familiar little switchback near Top

Now, the trail becomes steeper and steeper. It appeared that the wilderness folks have maintained the trail somewhat. The rocks were cleared out ... which is nice for the ascent. We reached the South Sister Saddle and, per usual, it was decorated with loads of wild horse poo. Lovely! After a short breather, we continued our hike in a one o'clock direction deviating from the traditional South Sister Peak route. This trail is vague at times but we managed to find the way over to the Ridge with Many Views. This was our originally planned destination. We enjoyed the ridge views but the wind was so bad that we were unable to take our break here. Walking back up the ridge, we made a decision to find our way over to the next ridge where we knew there was a trail up.

Sue and Susan arrive at the South Sister Saddle

Near the beginning of the trail to the Ridge with Many Views

Gulley Crossing

Susan climbs the Rock Pile

Having only done this crossover once, and on a different and messier trail (and, in the other direction), this was a bit of an exploration. After starting across, we found the main nicely trod trail about 10' above our lateral line. Again, we followed the trail just fine and came to a familiar spot on the next ridge trail. Here, we were a) out of the wind b) had a convenient sitting log, and, c) were gifted with a beautiful view of the next canyon with large birds soaring around between the ridges. We finished our pleasant break and started up one of the steepest parts of this ridge's trail (aka Ricks Saddle Trail) to the South Sister Overlook above. 

McFarland Peak from the Ridge with Many Views Trail

Traction Benchmark from the Ridge with Many Views

Lady Hikers  and Macks Peak

Susan hikes back up the ridge toward South Sister

As things go in the mountains, there were several trees that had fallen over the winter and, probably, last fall with the hurricane visit, Hilary, from the south. There was only one place that the deadfall affected the trail route. It wasn't a problem to go around the trees but it may be a problem for other hikers that are not familiar with the route in this location. Cairns were set around but they were also difficult to follow. Your best bet is to just go up! 

North and South Sisters from break Spot

Taking our break on the Ricks Saddle Trail

Steep climb up Ricks Saddle Trail

Ricks Saddle Trail with Macks Peak

Nearing the top, we connected with a familiar trail that leads back down to South Sister Saddle. At the saddle, we turned to the left and started our main descent. Mind you, the well raked trail that was so good for the ascent was slippery for the descent so our progress was slow. I guess you can't have everything! We increased our speed as the hill became more gentle in slope. We didn't see any other people until we reached the picnic area. People were celebrating the July 4th holiday. We were very glad to have finally completed this route. It will become a well-visited route in the future.

Stats: 4.5 miles; 1700' gain; 3.75 hours

South Sister Trail Descent

South Sister Trail Descent

Connecting with the Old Mill Trail to picnic Area