Green Lakes via Fall Creek Hike

Overview

This has long been one of the most popular hikes in the Three Sisters Wilderness, and you can expect lots of company on the dusty, rutted trail in any period of good weather during the summer. However, the new permit system, instituted in 2021, is designed to keep the crowds at bay and protect fragile alpine meadows. Overnighters will have to reserve campsites well ahead of time if they are camping at the Green Lakes. The payoff here is almost continuous, however: the waterfalls along rushing Fall Creek, closeup views of South Sister and Broken Top, and the shallow alpine basin harboring the lakes themselves. For longer backpacks that incorporate the Green Lakes area, see the Broken Top Loop Hike and the Three Sisters Loop Hike. Two trails, Soda Creek and Green Lakes, leave the parking area. The Green Lakes Trail crosses Fall Creek right after entering the Three Sisters Wilderness and follows the creek up its west bank. After the first half mile, a spur leads right to a view of 30-foot Fall Creek Falls. For the next 1.5 miles, you'll continue up past a series of low but impressive waterfalls along the creek. Eventually the trail and the creek level out at about 6000 feet, where you'll reach the junction with the trail to Moraine Lake. Continuing on the Green Lakes Trail, you'll begin to encounter alpine meadows. Once you get through the meadows, you'll cross two footbridges, the second over Fall Creek, and slowly climb again. There are two switchbacks on this part, the only switchbacks you encounter on the whole route. There's a lava flow across the creek that contains glinting obsidian. The trail keeps close to the right bank of Fall Creek. You'll pass the junction with the Broken Top Trail, which heads east, as well as a confusing web of user trails. The official Green Lakes Trail passes north of a pond that offers a reflection of South Sister. Then it bears up the east shore of the largest of the Green Lakes. The northwest ridge of Broken Top rears above. Official campsites are scattered near the south

Trail Stats

Photos

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400px-GreenLakesMap2

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160px-Falls_Creek_Trail

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250px-Middle_Green_Lake

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250px-Falls_Creek

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400px-South_Sister

TKO put tools to trail here.png

TKO put tools to trail here.png

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