Many Views Loop - 6/1/26

North Sister from Ridge with Many Views

Lee Peak, Rocketship, and Charleston Peak

Mt. Everest (L) and Macks Peak (R) from Ridge with Many Views

South Sister Saddle

On Monday, a quiet day, I did another solo hike up to South Sister Saddle and looped around past the Ridge with Many Views. Parking at the Lee Canyon Road traffic circle, I crossed the road at the fire station and began my climb up through the Old Mill Picnic Area on a small paved road. Before the pavement ran out, a rock-lined trail veered off to the right. This is the Old Mill Trail. After another little while, a trail veered off to the right again. This trail is the South Sister Trail and it is not marked. I chose not to take photos of this scenic trail since I and many of us have hiked this trail over and over. I slowly and methodically climbed up through the ravines and made it to the South Sister Saddle landmarked by a large rotting log and, usually, a lot of wild horse manure! After a short rest, I started out the trail that leaves the saddle in a one o'clock direction. This trail takes hikers to the Ridge with Many Views, Rick's Saddle and the loop that I was hiking today.

Desert view from Ridge with Many Views

Tiny view of Black Rock at end of Sisters Ridge

Lee and Charleston Peaks

The trail is worn, however, there are a couple of places where helpful cairns are placed. After circling the top of a couple of ravines, the trail finally ends up at the top of a ridge that leads out toward the peaks. At the end of the ridge, hikers can enjoy a view of South Sister, North Sister, Macks Peak, Ricks Peak, Mt. Everest (NV), McFarland Peak and the Spring Mountain Divide. It is a 270 degree experience. Returning to the top of the ridge, I found the trail marked by a large cairn that leads hikers left over to the trail that climbs up from Ricks Saddle. This connecting trail is difficult to follow at this time. Suffice it to say, the trail should take hikers straight over to the target trail that climbs up the next ridge. Reaching this ridge trail, I sat for a short break and began the most difficult short climb of the day. The trail took me up to the top of the second phase of the South Sister Trail. From there, my route turned to the right and followed one of the two trails that lead back down to the South Sister Saddle. A return back down the large gully trail remained. A wonderful quiet day out in the woods.

Stats: 5.1 miles; 1500' gain; 3.75 hours

Tiny fossils of ancient plant Life

South Sister from top of Phase II of South Sister Trail

Lee Peak, Rocketship and Charleston Peak