Day 17 (September 2)

Nothing but the best weather for us as we triumphantly return to the delightful Sisters Wilderness. A little snow left on the Sisters, but none to hamper us. Flawless clear blue sky. A great day for watching contrails.

We've hit the trail at a moment of magical transition from mud to dust. I don't know what you call it, but it's perfect.

The flow of northbound PCT through-hikers seems to have dried up. Not too surprising since they'd have to be really fast to make it to Canada from here before the Washington trail is snowed out, and if they were that fast they'd be further north by now, since they all
start at about the same time.

A sign informs us that we're passing through the Obsidian Falls Limited Entry Area. Taking a closer look at the fine print on the back of our self-issued permit, it looks like we need an additional government-issued permit to be here between Memorial Day and Halloween. Oops. My pre-hike research did not turn up this complication; I'd read that travel along the PCT in Oregon was free and clear. So we quickly tip-toe through, no lolling about at lovely Obsidian Falls or snatching any of the gleaming obsidian shards.

By the day's end we're so warm and sunny that we shun the cookstove, back to cool meals for us, and another delicious cous-cous cake hanging in the bag for tomorrow's breakfast.