Some hikes stand out because of a difficult summit or an unexpected challenge. Others are memorable because nearly everything comes together: clear skies, calm water, comfortable afternoon temperatures and long stretches of trail with almost no one else around.
Our Saturday hike from Devil's Lake to Moraine Lake and Wickiup Plains was one of those days.
We began on the South Sister Climber Trail, followed it to the junction for Moraine Lake and then made a broad loop through the Three Sisters Wilderness. After visiting Moraine Lake, we climbed back to the climber trail, continued from the junction toward Wickiup Plains and returned on the loop that also connects with the Sisters Mirror Lake Trail. By the time we reached the car, we had traveled 12.3 miles with approximately 1,925 feet of elevation gain.