Name: Alderfer/Three Sisters Loop
Rating: 4.5

“A beautiful six-mile loop through the forest with a great high point for views.”

— Chelsea Gribbin

Features Views · Wildlife

Overview

This route follows Evergreen Mountain Trail up to a wonderful lookout, then descends back to the parking lot, and climbs up Sister's Trail to Ponderosa Trail and then descends back to the parking lot again.

Need to Know

There are some sections with a lot of roots and rocks, so watch your ankles.

Runner Notes

Rocks and roots are particularly dangerous for ankles on this trail. The trails are also a popular mountain biking area, so pay attention and yield when necessary.

Description

From the trailhead, cross the road to Evergreen Mountain Trail. Follow this trail, climbing up Evergreen Mountain. After about a mile and a half, you'll reach a beautiful lookout to the southeast. From here, continue on the trail and you'll pass the summit trail, which leads to the summit of Evergreen Mountain and is only about a mile roundtrip.

The trail descends here and ends at a road. To get back to the parking lot, cross the road and continue on Ranch View Trail back to the bottom of Evergreen Mountain Trail.

Cross the road again past the parking lot and climb the steep Sister's Trail. It climbs up switchbacks past a bouldering area at the top before descending through the forest back down to the Ponderosa Trail. You'll pass many trail splits, so make sure to stay on Three Sister's Trail. It is very well marked. Take a right on Ponderosa Trail and climb up maybe 200 or so feet and then finish with a fun descent back to the parking lot.