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….

In a week of dynamic plans, Tuesday was a 50+ mile bike ride in rural Willamette Valley and Wednesday a hiking buddy and I shared the ride to Willamette Pass to hike Maiden Peak via PCT. From Willamette Pass, the PCT winds north through the central cascade lakes area starting with 3 Rosary Lakes, where…