Three Sisters Trail,
Lava Beds National Monument
The Three Sisters Trail is a long hike with a trailhead at the Indian Well campground. The trail crosses the Schonchin Wilderness Area and connects with the Lyons Trail. The Three Sisters Trail is named after the Three Sisters — peaks at 4538 ft, located to the north-east of the campground.
Elevation
The Three Sisters Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,627 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,286 ft. and an elevation range of 341 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 7.8 mi | 4,286 ft | 4,627 ft | 341 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 3.0 hrs | 11.4 | 137 ft | 309 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 3.1 hrs | 25.8 | 309 ft | 137 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Three Sisters Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Mount Dome, CA
- North Topo Map: Captain Jacks Stronghold, CA
- Northeast Topo Map: The Panhandle, CA
- West Topo Map: Bonita Butte, CA
- Topo Map: Schonchin Butte, CA
- East Topo Map: Caldwell Butte, CA
- Southwest Topo Map: Little Glass Mountain, CA
- South Topo Map: Medicine Lake, CA
- Southeast Topo Map: West of Kephart, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Three Sisters Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Three Sisters Trail?
The length of the trail is 7.8 miles (12.6 km) or 16,851 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Three Sisters Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 3.0 hours in one direction and in 3.1 hours in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.