South Sister

South Sister Trail. 12 miles total, just over 10 hours. totally difficult. 4900 feet elevation gain.
I have to say that this hike is the single most physically challenging thing we have EVER done in our lives. Writing this post the day after... I have never been in so much pain..all over body pain. Now for the hike summary.

10,360 feet

We woke up early.. 6:10 to be exact. had breakfast and set out on Cascade Lakes HWY to the Devil's Lake Trail Head. 2 hours later after breakfast, showers and the drive we arrived at the trail head. We had no idea what we were in for. Surprisingly this trail is extremely popular even though it is very difficult. 10 year olds were kicking our butts on the way up. The trail gave you no gradual entrance, it was uphill the first 1.5 miles, 1250 feet elevation gain through a pine forest. Once we were above the tree line it leveled off somewhat for about 1.8 miles. It was during this part we could see our destination, the summit up ahead.

The next section was just over 1 mile with 1600 feet elevation gain through rugged gray cinder to a glacial pool. This part was difficult. I apparently was ill-prepared and did not wear the appropriate socks. About half-way up the incline I began to feel a great deal of pain on my heel. We paused for a few minutes and I removed my hiking boots. On my left heel I had a disgusting quarter-sized already popped blister. It was so painful, we almost turned around. Keo handed me a piece of gauze and a poster sized bandage. Keo is so wonderful, he handed me his extremely padded socks that he was wearing. I refused at first because I felt bad but he insisted. I don't know what I would do with out him. I handed him my socks and we continued on.

Once we got to the glacial pond, our biggest challenge was apparent. The trail continued up a giant red cinder cone. The trail just barely grazing the cliffs edge.

It was at this point our bodies were at the point of exhaustion, but we continued on because the point was to get to the TOP. It was really very difficult and we are in descent shape. Of course there will always be those people on our hikes in the spandex running shorts sprinting down the trail and this expedition was no different. We must have looked beat because people on the way down kept telling us we were almost there. Finally we arrived at the top. 6 miles and 5.5 hours later. The top was windy and we immediately went from sweat to cold chills. We collapsed onto the first available lava rocks. We were beyond exhaustion at this point. After a rest and some power bars and Gatorade we explored the summit. The crater at the top was full of snow. We walked around the crater and got to see half the state. We headed back down, trekking poles in hand about 1.5 hours later. The trip down was just as treacherous and the wind had picked up. 6 miles later we arrived back at our car, only pausing to snap a shot in the meadow with South Sister behind us... a tremendous feat.