On Wednesday, September 30, I climbed South Pyramid in the Western Cascade Range of Oregon. This peak is west of Oregon Highway 22 northwest of Santiam Junction. South Pyramid has 1588 feet of topographic prominence and has a rock tower for a summit. It has been on my wish list for several years.

In August 2021 Ken Russell and I hiked the Pyramids Trail #3380 to the summit of Middle Pyramid. This was a nice trail and the rocky summit had excellent views. On our descent we attempted to access South Pyramid as well but the route from Middle Pyramid did not work for us. I hoped I might try South Pyramid by another route sometime later.

In August 2025 Michael Berry, one of my Arizona peakbagging buddies, had found and documented a route up South Pyramid from the south. I filed that information away. Another peakbagger, Olga Kiri, found and documented a similar route nearby in May 2026. I decided I should take advantage of their reports and climb South Pyramid, myself. Their reports included mention of “bushwhacking”, but they did not seem too discouraging.

So I drove in Wednesday morning to a small trailhead noted by Michael and started my ascent.

After a short hike east along the South Pyramid Creek Trail I turned north off the trail and climbed through the forest up the southern slopes of South Pyramid. I suppose the lower forest could be considered “open forest” as beyond the usual forest debris the lower slopes were unobstructed by brush.

Higher, I climbed short rocky sections and linked openings in the forest. Sometimes the forest was thicker, sometimes the footing was looser, and sometimes I would need to work around or climb over downed trees and squeeze between standing ones. But I made good progress upwards and approached the rocky southwest ridge above me.

Near the southwest ridge crest I began traversing northeast towards the summit cliffs. At one point on the traverse I paused, uncomfortable with the steepness of the traverse across loose, rocky slopes. I noted that by climbing higher I could access ledges that provided a more secure route. So I climbed higher and traversed more securely towards the cliffs.

Approaching the cliffs, I climbed into thick forest below, then climbed to the cliff base. From there I followed the cliffs at their base through the forest to the east. Eventually the forest opened up a bit. I turned north, then gained the east ridge of the summit volcanic block.

I hoped the east ridge would be open on good rock and great views. Instead, I had to fight much of the way up the steep rocky ridge through small trees to gain passage around vertical blocks. Sometimes these trees provided hand and foot holds.

Eventually the ridge opened up and I climbed a mossy rock wall to reach the last thrash through dwarf fir and spruce to the summit.

I found a place to sit beside spruce brush, rehydrated, and ate a late lunch. The fall weather was ideal and I enjoyed the views and took photos. Soon I started my descent.

The descent of the ridge went more quickly with gravity on my side. I unselfconsciously grasped small trees as I felt for footing beneath the vegetation. At one point I missed a turn, but recovered the route after a quick check of my GPS.

Once off the summit cliffs I retraced my traverse westward through forest below the summit cliffs, then across slopes below the southwest ridge. I found and roughly followed my ascent route back down the forested south slopes, catching forest openings where I could. It was a slow and tiring descent due to the steepness of the slope, loose footing, and wood debris to step over or kick aside. I would occasionally pause to avoid leg cramps. Eventually I regained the trail far below and returned to my Jeep.

It was late afternoon with lengthening shadows. I enjoyed removing my boots then savored the drive out on forest roads to the highway. Hungry, I stopped for dinner at Takoda’s Restaurant in Sisters before returning home. At home, my legs cramped as I stepped out of my Jeep, a common way for me to end a day of adventure in the mountains.