Broken Top Loop Day 2

Jul 16

Green Lakes to South Sister Summit
via Moraine Lake and South Side

As dawn broke over Green Lakes, I awoke alongside the team of Mazamas climbers, made breakfast, and packed up my tent, ready for the next leg of my Broken Top Loop adventure.

The Mazamas team planned to summit South Sister and return via the Green Lakes route on the mountain’s eastern flank. My own path would take me up the South Side, passing through Moraine Lake, with plans to camp at the summit and capture the NEOWISE comet streaking across the night sky. I hoped our routes would intersect on the final push to the summit.

Before setting off on my own journey, I paused to capture the morning light on South Sister and the Mazamas team as they embarked on their ascent.

My trek began gently—descending 800 feet before the trail turned toward Moraine Lake. Though the elevation lost would soon need to be regained, the easy start was a welcome beginning to the day.

With a brisk pace, I reached Moraine Lake within a couple of hours, greeted by sweeping views of the towering South Sister. The skies were clear, with a cool breeze, and the mountain loomed large.

From here on out, the path was straightforward. The gradual elevation gain allowed me to push myself physically without worrying about navigation.

Soon, I had unobstructed views of Moraine Lake below, and a bit higher, the rugged expanse of the Rock Mesa Lava Flow came into view—a landscape reminiscent of Mordor.

A couple of hours later, I arrived at Lewis Tarn, where the Green Lakes route on South Sister’s eastern side converges with the more commonly traveled South Side route via Devil’s Lake and Moraine Lake.

At 8,800 feet, the base of the Lewis Glacier is a popular resting spot for climbers to refill water and recharge before the final ascent.

The summit area is visible from here, but there’s still a grueling 1,400 feet of elevation gain ahead. The "Red Mile" known for its “two steps forward, one step back" sliding feature.

I took a long break at Lewis Tarn, hoping to cross paths with the Mazamas team. I filtered 4 liters of water, not just to stay hydrated but to add conditioning weight for the ascent and the night ahead.

Just as I was about to set off again, I heard my name called from across the tarn. It was the Mazamas climbers, recognizing me from the other side. After a quick chat, I continued my climb, passing the rest of the team as they regrouped at Lewis Tarn. I captured their descent from a vantage point above.

I crossed paths with the rest of the climbing team as I headed up, said hello, then captured them regrouping at Lewis Tarn from a vantage point.

As I approached the summit, the views became truly majestic. The vastness of Central Oregon spread out beneath me, with Mount Bachelor rising prominently to the south. In the distance, I could still make out the trails I had trekked earlier, weaving through the rugged landscape around Moraine Lake.

Two hours after leaving Lewis Tarn, I finally reached the summit of South Sister. The summit crater was blanketed in snow, while the true summit stood bare and exposed to the sky. After touching the summit marker and shedding my pack, I took a moment to soak in the breathtaking views. It had been years since I last stood here. It was good to be back!

I began scouting for the perfect spot near the north side of the summit crater, hoping to find a place close to the edge for an unobstructed view of the comet.

My search paid off when I found a small, sheltered nook—a cozy 5-star dwelling in the mountain’s embrace.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the mountain revealed its magic. The sunset painted the sky in brilliant hues, and I captured every moment with my camera. As night fell, the stars began to twinkle, and the comet NEOWISE made its appearance, streaking across the heavens in a display of cosmic wonder.

After setting up my camera for a time-lapse, I retreated to my tent for a brief nap, eager to rise again under the star-lit skies for some astrophotography. When I finally emerged, I was greeted by a spectacle that left me in awe.

The time-lapse of the NEOWISE comet was a fitting reward. Something that can't be replicated for at least another 6,000+ years.

This was the culmination of my Broken Top Loop journey, a moment of solitude and wonder at the top of the world.

You can watch the timelapse of the NEOWISE comet below.

NEOWISE Comet Timelapse -
As seen from South Sister Summit after trekking around the Broken Top Loop.