Broken Top (Northwest Ridge Route)

Once a much larger volcano, the mountain has blown itself apart, hence the name Broken Top. The easiest and safest route up is the Northwest Ridge.

Elevation: 9,175 feet
Hiking Distance: 7 miles one-way
Elevation Gain: 4,000ish
Difficulty: Class 3-4
Prominence: 2,175 feet

Approach via the Green Lakes Trail located just west of Soda Creek Campground on Highway 46. From the east side of the first Green Lake, there is an official climbers trail to a saddle on the northwest ridge. From the ridge top, climbers trails continue to the summit on or near the ridge top. The crux is a 20-foot section of rock climbing that is at an exposed corner. The holds are solid, many freeclimb, but a rappel station is at the top for safe decent. If no snow, a class 4 route skirts around the rock climbing. Once past this obstacle, the exposed ledge traverses near the summit are fairly wide and not too bad, even for scared people like me.

Summit of Broken Top

From the summit looking south to the south summit

Summit of Broken Top

Looking East toward Bend

South and Middle Sister from the summit

Climbing the Northwest Ridge

Hiking up to the saddle on the NW Ridge above Green Lakes

Looking north from the ridge with fire smoke rolling in

Broken Top from the North Sister area

Broken Top from the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area parking lot

From the summit, looking at the final short traverse