Sisters hikers tackle Obsidian Trail

Standing: Sharyn Fetrow, Darla Neiss, Beverly Gaskins, Janet Lawhun, Jessica Judy, Russ Fetrow, Eloise Barry, Scott Reekie, Dave Barry and Bill Miller. Kneeling: Keith (Neiss' grandson), Justin (Linda Goebel's step-son), Carolyn Gabrielson, Linda Goebel, Doug Wood, and Cathy Ellis. photo provided

The hiking group that will attempt the summit of South Sister is in the final two weeks of training. They plan, depending upon weather, to start the assault a few days after Labor Day.

Many of those who will attempt to scale South Sister participated in a "warm-up" hike on the Obsidian Trail on Monday, August 11.

This hike required a special permit from the Forest Service which limits the number of hikers on this trail. Each permit, available from the McKenzie River Station, is good for up to 10 people. Groups of more than 12 are not permitted. The permit can be faxed to the Sisters Ranger Station if requested.

This group had three permits to accommodate all the hikers. They broke into smaller groups so that each "could improve his or her wilderness experience," hike leader Sharyn Fetrow said.

The 12-mile Obsidian Trail loop is rated as "difficult." It has an 1,800-foot elevation gain leading to the 20-foot Obsidian waterfalls. Flashing obsidian chips make for a memorable sight.

According to Webster's Seventh Collegiate Dictionary, "obsidian volcanic glass is generally black, banded, or spherulitic and has a marked conchoidal fracture and a composition similar to rhyolite."

If the volcanic lava meets water during its rise to the surface, it turns into a frothy pumice. Without touching water, obsidian glass is formed.

The Obsidian Trail crosses the Pacific Coast Trail and presents magnificent views of Sunshine, an Alpine meadow, between Middle Sister and Little Brother mountains.

In suggesting "what to take," Fetrow told her South Sister hiking group that on her first trip to the top, a year ago, she and her husband experienced very warm weather.

"However, this is not the usual case," she said.

A friend of hers hiked the mountain in August a year ago and was cold with "five layers of clothes including a down parka. They did not make the top."

Fetrow said, "I wouldn't go without either a tent, tarp or bivey sack to keep the sleeping bags dry. And I wouldn't depend on the weather being as warm as it was two years in a row."

For food, she suggested, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast lunch and dinner.

"We did not bring a change of clothes except a clean pair of socks. We had layered tops or jackets and wore zip-off pants," she said.

"I brought no toiletries except a toothbrush, toilet paper and a trowel. I carried a cell phone, walkie-talkie, water filters and the usual things you bring along on any hike," she said.

They plan the South Sister assault to the top sometime mid-week after Labor Day.

For more information refer to the book "100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades," by William Sullivan, pages 104-5.