Posts from September 5th, 2023

We have hiked Wickiup Plains in the past, reaching it after first traveling to Sisters Mirror Lake. Another time we hiked through it on our way to Moraine Lake, a wonderful destination or pass through for those hiking to the top of South Sister.  Last Saturday we had a break from the smokey air resulting from several forest fires and we capitalized on hiking to Wickiup Plains once again, this time with new plans. These included climbing two hills overlooking Wickiup Plains - Le Conte Crater and The Wife. 

Wickiup Plain is mostly a cinder plateau through which the Pacific Crest Trail passes. However, there are fabulous views of the western flanks of South Sister and Broken Top from the plain that many never see. The trip up to the top of Le Conte Crater had a social trail we found which is not on any map and was worth the hike.

The Wife, however, was a difference experience.  Many have heard of The Three Sisters and Mt Bachelor, four of the well recognized Cascade Mountain Peaks in Oregon. But besides the Sisters (also named Faith, Hope and Charity), there is Little Brother, The Husband and The Wife. Little Brother is part of the Three Sisters, its flank abutting Middle and North Sister. However, The Husband and The Wife stand alone without much recognition. The Wife is next to the Wickiup Plains and after coming down from Le Conte Crater, we trekked across the plains to The Wife. Rising over 7000 feet above sea level, The Wife is still drawfed by South Sister, which is the third highest peak in Oregon at over 10,300 feet. But having hiked both now, I can honestly say that the steepness of The Wife felt greater than what we experienced on South Sister. One review said the last 1/2 mile to the top of The Wife was at a 65 degree grade. But unlike South Sister, this grade is on small pumice stones in which tufts of fescue and other vegetation live. South Sister is nothing but pumice rocks and scree at the top. There was no trail to the top of The Wife whereas there is a clearly defined path to the top of South Sister. But the hike up The Wife was far shorter than that to summit South Sister.

Despite the steepness of the hike up to the the peak of The Wife, the slopes to the north and west of The Wife are dangerously steep and we were careful at the top to avoid getting too close.  However, the views were amazing. The Husband was to the north and South and Middle Sister were to the northeast. The air was clear despite recent rain, which probably helped immensely with our forest fires.

When we climbed down from the top of The Wife, we checked out what we think is a set up by the US Geological Survey to measure uplifts in the ground around South Sister. We have heard for years about the growing bulge near South Sister which is believed to be caused by build up of magna under the earth. We think the machinery we found is part of what is used to measure this. Hopefully we won't have another Mt. St. Helens in the near future!