Middle Sister perhaps gives the best view of the three because you are situated in the middle of so many volcanoes. Looking south are South Sister, Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor. Looking north is the North Sister, Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Jefferson. Although not as accessible or easy as South Sister, the middle gets a fair number of ascents due to easier terrain for climbers. There are a number of routes you can get up with no climbing gear, although an axe is a wise move if there is hard snow. The easiest is said to be the north ridge which is mostly a climbers trail by mid to late summer after the snow melts. This is the route we took and is shown on this page.
Permits
A Northwest Forest Pass to park at the Pole Creek Springs trailhead. At Obsidian Trailhead, you need to get a special Limited Entry Permit, required for day and night trips into the area. They are free and available online before you go.
Elevation: 10,047 feet
Hiking Distance: : 7 miles from Pole Creek
Elevation gain: 4,500 feet
Access: Good roads
Route: North Ridge
Middle Sister
Oregon Hiking & Climbing
Access
From the west, off Highway 242 near McKenzie Pass is a well-marked sign for the Obsidian Trailhead. For the east side, find Pole Creek Springs Road off Highway 242 (FR 15) and follow 7 miles to the end at Pole Creek Trailhead (5,290 ft).
Heading up on lower slopes
Last few trees
On ridge between North and Middle
Middle Sister from North Ridge of North Sister
North Ridge of Middle Sister
North Ridge route
Upper part of the north ridge
North Sister from the summit of Middle Sister
West from the summit of Middle Sister
Northwest from the summit of Middle Sister
Southwest from the summit of Middle Sister
Looking south from the summit to South Sister, Broken Top and Bachelor
Dropping down a large snowfield
Marine air
Our camp and Middle Sister above
Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Jefferson, Hood and Adams
Sunset