Normanras

First of all, thanks everyone for the help in pointing me in the right direction with South Sister, my friend and I summitted on Tuesday! Here were the conditions: Approach on the 29th: road was closed at Dutchman's flat. Snow shoes were required until a little past Todd Lake where the road begins to descend again. By devils lake the snow was too high to see the trail head signs. The snow was fairly melted, but not slushy. We camped near moraine lake. On the 29th the snow was hard and crusty in the morning all the way to the summit (even the rocky ridge was covered in snow!) besides some patches of fluff. On the way down... Was the worst. By the time we descended below 8000ft the snow was slushy and soft and our trek back to camp was literally a 'slog'. Snowshoes sunk like crazy. On the 30th we headed out early to avoid the slushy snow. Thanks to the guys plowing we didn't need snowshoes at all while walking on the road. The sun was blazing and at some points it looked like a small river in the road because of all the snow melt. I'm sure they'll have the road open in the next few days. I'm going to try and upload a picture with our route to the summit, but I'm not sure if I can do that on an iPad. Thanks again everyone!

Thanks for the info so far guys! Super helpful. We'll be going up there Monday so as soon as we get back later in the week I'll definitely post the trail conditions. The ranger for the area said the road will be open as far as dutchmans flat from the east and elk lake from the south. My question is.... If pole creek is open and without snow, what is there to plow by devils lake? Doesn't make sense why it would be closed. Anyway, should be a good trip and summit attempt!

I was thinking of trying to hike south sister mid-week next week and was curious if anyone knows what the conditions might be like up on the mountain. I'm from the east coast and my buddy (who lives here) hasn't done much hiking in land (mostly on the coast). Could anyone give us some pointers and tips? We're expecting some snow but didn't really plan for crampon or snowshoe travel... Any advice would be great! Thanks!!

Thanks everyone! Awesome information. Currently setting my sights on smith rock to begin with and I'll hopefully make a pit stop at the sisters on my way back. Looking forward to seeing you guys on the rocks! (I'll be posting in partners with dates if anyone needs a climbing partner in early June...)

Hey everyone, Really happy I found this website. So this coming late May/early June I'll be hanging out in the Eugene area looking to explore some awesome wilderness areas. I want to go high up and get some awesome views! I'm interested in climbing, basic mountaineering, and/or backpacking. Quick history: Coming from the east coast, I climb at the Gunks, leading 5.5 following 5.9, gunks ratings. I have a gunks rack (single set of cams up to 3 and nuts/micronuts and alpine draws). Backpacking trips are common for me, too. I'd love to do some mountaineering but afraid I haven't had a lot of experience out here with it. I wanted to ask the community what recommendations they have about where I should go. I'd be alone (my friend out in Eugene doesn't climb) so I'd love to join a party if at all possible. My two thoughts have been doing a solo ascent of one of the sisters (probably middle or south) or heading over the smith rock and hoping to find a partner. Suggestions? Help a east coaster have a great first experience in the Cascades!