SOUTH SISTER SUNRISE

I am not sure how many times I have hiked South Sister, but each and every time it is both strenuous and magical. I don’t think it would be as taxing if I didn’t have camera gear and wasn’t going for sunrise...I’ve done much bigger hikes, yet this one has a special way of putting the hurt on you.

You have to start the night before in order to get to the top for sunrise, unless it’s Winter time and the sunrise is around 7:30am. For this photo, shot June 8th 2025, I started hiking at 11:30pm and sunrise was roughly 5:20am. 80% of the hike was snow, usually is, and pace/navigating takes a little more time. Another caveat? I am usually taking someone up for their first time, this also adds a little more time; I could do this hike faster if I was solo. Another aspect of the early start is time management. I don’t shoot sunrises by showing up 10-minutes beforehand, it’s too much stress in trying to beat the clock, find your location, unforeseen mishaps, exhaling...I am always early if everything goes well.

Here is the view from the summit of South Sister at sunrise. You can see the following volcanoes from left to right: Middle Sister, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. St. Helens (it’s right behind 3FJ), Mt. Jefferson, North Sister, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Black Crater. 

I’ve shot this photo many times before, however, newer camera gear and my knowledge in shooting has improved :) Love this shot and am able to reminisce about all the summits I have enjoyed in this photo, with exception to Mt. Adams...one day I hope to do that one.