Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Broken Top is a heavily eroded volcano with spectacular views of the Three Sisters. It's a fairly easy ascent - a bit of easy snow and one very short section (10 feet) of 5.1 rock climbing.
Activity Notes
Broken Top is an eroded volcanic peak just east of the Three Sisters and is technically easy (though strenuous) to climb. The summit is 2700 feet above the nearby Green lakes and the route follows a narrow ridge crest much of the way. Since it is an eroded volcanic peak, there is some loose rock and scree/sand to deal with.
There is a spectacular view of the Three Sisters, Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood from the summit. To the east the inside of the crater provides an excellent view of the structure of a volcano.
Climbing Skills Required:
SNOW: snow up to 30 degree slope, self-arrest, possible crampon use if hard or icy.
ROCK: rock climbing up to exposed 3rd class, fixed line travel
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 190 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 4 hours |
| Distance - Round Trip | 380 miles |
| General Route Info | Broken Top is a dramatically eroded core of an ancient volcano, with spectacular views of all three sisters and the central Oregon cascades. The climb can be done car to car in a long day, or as a more pleasant 2 day outing with an overnight backpack camp at the popular Green Lakes area. |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Interesting Features | Glacier(s) |
| Relevant Books | Oregon High, by Jeff Thomas |
| Relevant Maps | USGS 7 minute series, Broken Top, and Geo-Graphics Three Sisters Google map https://www.google.com/maps/@44.0829076,-121.7085357,15z/data=!5m1!1e4?hl=en |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
