Weekend Gem-Chambers Lakes

S. Sister from the westside of traverse

The Chambers Lakes area in between South and Middle Sisters is one of the finest destinations in the Oregon Cascades, in my opinion. You can traverse in between the Sisters and hike around Middle and North Sisters or just the South Sister. Spend the day doing a non-technical climb to the top of Middle Sister if you need a challenge, or simply take a icy dip in Camp Lake and enjoy the day reading a good book by a lakeshore.

Middle and North Sisters on the way up to the Lakes

Camp Lake

The start of the east portion of the traverse

Start out by driving to the Pole Creek TH for starters and take the trail 5.5 miles to Camp Lake, the first in the chain of lakes and where the maintained trail “ends”. If you would like to do the eastside to westside traverse, follow the trail from the burned area in the east into the stark, alpine environment of the lakes and onward following carins to the meadows on the west side of the Crest, truly a poetic endeavor. Or, follow the mountaineering route from the south side of Camp Lake to the top of conical Middle Sister for an amazing view of the other Sisters and beyond. Either way, this trip is a good way to get acquainted with this volcanic family!

M. Sister from the traverse