Smoke & T-storms from Maiden Peak

Odd weather continued with fires burning around Sisters (Flat Fire), south of Diamond Peak (Emigrant) and new ones surfacing as more thunderstorms rolled through. Wednesday, I headed to Willamette Pass for a PCT day hike that didn’t require a permit, and obviously going Northbound (NOBO) from the pass rather than head directly toward Emigrant fire.

While driving to Willamette Pass rain sprinkled a couple of times, but I never turned on wipers; on the way, home however, it rained from the TH down the hill a couple of miles then stopped. At the end of hike, I went south toward Shelter Cove for a mile or so and from an outcropping the poor weather was clear.

The Route

Started at PCT TH (north side of Hwy 58) leaving with headlamp around 6:00am. Up PCT to northern leg of Maiden Peak Tr, then up Maiden Peak and down to Maiden Lake Trail and back to PCT. Passed car and Hwy 58 and went on unwalked section south toward Pengra Pass, and then back to car.

Trail conditions were great … PCT was not as abused as I’ve seen in other sections – less traffic due to recent fires? Maiden Peak trail is a MTB route and it shows. The entire route was without obstacle and very fast. The only humans were at Maiden ski hut (really a palatial hut with windows and solar power?) and at the Rosary Lakes at the end.

Atop Maiden Peak I was treated to a pair of Cooper’s hawks playing high above and diving together – quite a show! Rosary Lakes are special and both times there deer were hanging out there since the humans were elsewhere. Left photo is Pulpit Rock over one lake and the right photo shows all three: Lower, middle and upper Rosary Lakes.

Between Maiden Peak and Rosary Lakes on the return I experienced a serious widow maker … the winds were swirling given the thunderstorms in the area and one very large old tree gave up and fell … the crash sound was VERY loud – glad I was at least 50 yards away.

Fires and smoke

The Emigrant fire south of Diamond Peak comes through and the smoke from Flat and other fires filled the valley west of Sisters’ crest. Skies were ‘fire skies’ without a doubt.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone Peak 7 mesh uppers
• Pack: Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo. 36
• Upper Layers: 1 (Far Pointe Sun Hoodie)
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 06:00 – 2:00
• Carbon ratio: 0.25 hours (7.5 hours driving: 7.75 hours hiking); YTD = 144 hours banked
• Notes:
  • Photos: few
  • Speed: fast
  • Difficulty: easy (only Maiden Peak moderate)