North / Black Sisters Loop - 7/17/23

Sisters Arch and Black Sister

North Sister from Sisters Ridge

Black Sister

Hiking up Galium Road

There were twelve club members parked at the chain-up area trailhead in Lee Canyon on Monday morning. For most of the hikers, this was new territory. Everyone was very excited for the hike and revved up for the steep climb to come. On the uphill end of the trailhead, there is an old mining road called Galium Road. We headed up this road until we passed the spring on the right and came to a trail leading up diagonally to the left. This trail put us on the ridge where we continued following a vague horse trail on up the ridge. The trail faded in and out but got us through the trees and up onto a bare ridge above. This bare ridge is a trailing ridge from the Sisters Ridge and the horse or elk trail continued up after hiking a saddle with amazing views end to end.

South (L) and North (R) Sisters from Approach

The Steep Ascent by the Numbers

Visit to the Sisters Arch

Climbing the last Section

To the south, we saw South Sister and North Sister. To the east, we saw Mummy Mountain across Lee Canyon. All the places we were familiar with could be seen in 3D. Our steep ascent eventually brought us to the Arch below the Sisters Ridge. It is found on the right side of the trailing ridge we were climbing. It is quite impressive and a few of the hikers followed Mike out to it to get the full experience. We waited in the shade of trees then continued up when they returned. The trail rides the top of the ridge until just below a white rocky tor. Here, the trail veers to the left and traverses up to the main Sisters Ridge. A well-deserved rest ensued! We took a look at North Sister and the "disaster gulley" that is used for its ascent then turned to hike north on a game trail. This part of the hike is the most amazing. The slope on either side of the narrow ridge is very steep and views are found everywhere! The trail traverses a small peak or two then drops down to a saddle. From there, we climbed up to the top of White Sister. Finding a seat among the rocks and view of neighboring Black Sister, we took our break. We were comforted that the remaining half of the hike was mostly downhill!

Peaks on the other side of Sisters Ridge

Mummy Mountain from Sisters Ridge

Sisters Ridge Trail

Black and White Sisters

After the break, we took the small trail that circles around the back (west) side of the huge black rock called Black Sister. On the north side of the black rock, a few of the hikers scrambled up the rock to catch the views from the top. We waited down below until they joined us again. From here, we took the traditional route down off of the Black Sister Ridge. The descent trail was very well worn ... even more than I have ever seen it. Near the bottom, we veered to the right on a diagonal trail down to the right side saddle.

Taking a break on White Sister

Black Sister on Approach

Back side of Black Sister and climb to Top

Leaving Black Sister

Again, we rested and drank some water. The temperatures were not terrible. Even though we are going through a significant heat spell, clouds were coming in and a cool breeze swept by often. The entire hike was very comfortable, weather-wise. Next, we started dropping down the scree hill until we located the horse trail on the right. A pre-hike done two days previously, told us what we needed to know here. The horse trail is still visible and I believe that a horse or elk had recently come by leaving tell-tale signs. We reminded ourselves of the usage of the nearby shallow wash and only lacked clarity on the final trail section before reaching the target saddle.

Starting Descent view Up Lee Canyon

Steep Trail down from Black Sister

Connecting with Saddle Below

Starting down Horse Trail

Down the Scree Field

Regardless, we did attain the small saddle on the trail and dipped down the other side into the scree. This trail is clear until a certain point so we turned down to the right there and "rode the scree" the rest of the way down. Next, it was a pleasant traverse through a large pine glade until we reached Lee Canyon Road and the chain-up trailhead. Our group of club hikers were a lot of fun to be with and took the whole challenging day in stride. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Stats: 3.5 miles; 1670' gain; 4.25 hours

Through the Pine Glade

Almost back to the Cars