Oregon's Volcanic Wilderness
The Three Sisters — Faith, Hope, and Charity — are three volcanic peaks rising above 10,000 feet in the central Oregon Cascades, surrounded by 286,000 acres of designated wilderness that holds everything from obsidian lava flows to turquoise alpine lakes to PCT miles with views stretching from Crater Lake to Mount Rainier on a clear day. This is Oregon's most comprehensive backpacking landscape.
This 10-day loop starts and ends in Bend, uses a combination of the Green Lakes Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Obsidian Trail (limited entry permit required), and connects through the Chambers Lakes Basin below Middle Sister for a complete circuit of all three peaks.
Trip Overview
- Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Total distance: ~85 miles
- Difficulty: Strenuous — includes off-trail South Sister summit (Class 2, 5,000 ft gain)
- Start/End: Bend, OR (shuttle to/from trailheads)
- Primary entry point: Green Lakes Trailhead, Deschutes National Forest
- Permit: Obsidian Limited Entry Area permit required (June 15–Oct 15): $6/person/night, reserve at recreation.gov. Green Lakes and general wilderness: free self-issued permit at trailhead.
- Best months: Late July–September (snowpack clears late, bugs peak June–July)
- Nearest town: Bend, OR (backcountry permits and resupply)
Days 1–2 — Green Lakes Basin
Enter via the Green Lakes Trailhead (elevation 5,463 ft) off Cascade Lakes Highway. The 4.5-mile trail climbs through lodgepole pine forest alongside Fall Creek, passing two dramatic waterfalls before breaking into the open Green Lakes Basin at 6,500 feet. The three lakes — named for their deep green color from glacial flour — sit directly below the sheer southwest face of Broken Top and the east flank of South Sister.
This basin is one of the most photographed places in Oregon. Camp at Green Lakes Campsite Area (designated sites, self-issue permit at trailhead) for two nights. On Day 2, hike the loop around the basin and side-trip up the talus slopes toward the saddle between Broken Top and South Sister for views into the volcanic crater lakes of both peaks.
AllTrails: 4.8★ (6,241 reviews) — search "Green Lakes Trail Oregon"
r/Oregon▲ 4.1k upvotes"Green Lakes at golden hour with South Sister reflecting in the water is the most beautiful campsite I've ever had."
Day 3 — South Sister Summit (Side Trip)
The South Sister summit (10,358 ft) is the highest point in Oregon that non-technical hikers can reach. It's a Class 2 hike — no rope, no gear — but it gains 5,000 feet and is best done as a long day from Green Lakes camp. Start at 5am from camp and climb the steep volcanic scree above the basin to the rim. The crater at the top holds a year-round snowfield and a small volcanic lake — the highest lake in Oregon. Views extend to Mount Rainier (Washington), Mount Hood, and Crater Lake on clear days.
Return to camp by early afternoon before the typical afternoon thunderstorm buildup. Allow 8–10 hours round trip from Green Lakes camp.
Days 4–5 — PCT South Through Wickiup Plain
Move camp west onto the PCT, hiking south through Wickiup Plain — an open volcanic plateau with sweeping views back to the Three Sisters and north to Mount Washington. The PCT here is remarkably flat for miles, passing through sparse lodgepole forest and lava tube fields. Camp near Sisters Mirror Lake (Day 4) — a high alpine lake with perfect reflections of North Sister and Middle Sister — then continue south past the Nash Lake area on Day 5.
Days 6–7 — Obsidian Trail Limited Entry Area
This is the permit section. The Obsidian Trail passes through a landscape of black volcanic glass that crunches underfoot — lava flows less than 2,000 years old, still sharp enough to shred gear. The trail also passes the Obsidian Falls (a 60-foot waterfall of snowmelt over black lava) and climbs to the base of the North Sister for the closest approach to that peak without technical climbing equipment.
Your Obsidian Limited Entry permit ($6/person/night) is required for these two nights. Pick up from recreation.gov — the quota fills fast in July. Book as early as possible after the March 1 reservation opening.
Days 8–10 — Chambers Lakes Basin and Return
Loop around the north and east side of Middle Sister through the Chambers Lakes Basin — a dramatic cirque of small lakes at 7,100 feet with the ice-draped north face of Middle Sister directly overhead. This is the quietest part of the route; the Chambers Lakes area sees a fraction of the Green Lakes crowds despite similar scenery. Return via the Pole Creek Trail to Highway 242, with a shuttle pick-up back to Bend.
Gear Notes
- Microspikes — South Sister summit snow lingers into August most years
- Bear canister — required in Three Sisters Wilderness (Ursack accepted)
- Obsidian-proof gaiters — the volcanic glass will shred lightweight trail runners; durable trail runners or light boots recommended on the Obsidian Trail
- Water filter — abundant snowmelt streams throughout but treat all sources
- Wind layer — exposed PCT sections and the summit can see 40+ mph winds
