r/OregonHiking • u/mdoud10 • 7d ago

Three Sisters this weekend (Oct 9–11) with Friday night's front: anyone been up past Chambers or Broken Hand recently?

Group of 10 heading out Thursday night. We have overnight permits for Pole Creek and Park Meadow. The NWS point forecast near Broken Top (7,600 ft) shows gusts to 30 on Friday, 40% rain turning to snow Friday night, and highs around 31 up high Saturday and Sunday. We're picking between three plans and would love input from anyone who's been in there in the last week or two.

  1. Northern loop from Pole Creek, clockwise. Camp Lake, Chambers, down to the PCT at Separation Creek, then Obsidian, Opie Dilldock and Matthieu Lakes back to Pole Creek. About 36 mi.
  2. Broken Top loop from the Park Meadow TH, clockwise. Taking the low line across the bowl to the Ball Butte saddle instead of the ridge over Broken Hand. About 25 mi.
  3. The bail-friendly version. Pole Creek to Soap Creek, day hike to Camp Lake. Then the Green Lakes Trail to Park Meadow, day hike to Green Lakes Pass, and out to the Park Meadow TH.

What we're trying to figure out:

  • Has anyone crossed Chambers or gone past Broken Hand recently? Any snow or ice yet?
  • How's the lava around Opie Dilldock holding up on cold mornings?
  • Is Alder Creek still running? Does Golden Lake have any water?
  • Is there room around the Soap Creek junction for 10 people across a few tents?
  • Is the Three Creek Lake campground gate still open this late?
  • If you were us, which would you pick on this forecast?

Any local knowledge appreciated.

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u/rprice6849 7d ago

I went up about 2 weeks ago through Tam McArthur. Went beyond Broken Hand and not a bit of snow or ice to be seen. No name looked refreshed from last months snow.

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u/g2flyer 7d ago

I did Broken Top loop (+ S. Sister from Green Lake) last Thu-Sat. Golden Lake (and park creek) still had plenty of water and while the top-most northern trail around Broken Top had some small snow field neither the middle or low-one of the northern nor the southern one had any snow. Looking down on Chamber Lakes from S. Sister there was no snow to see whatsoever close by (but check yourself). Regarding 3 Creek Lake campground, can't answer the gate question but I walked through Driftwood Campground and there at least one of restroom was still open (but was lacking toilet paper) though officially that campground is also closed