[pct-l] side trips

[Bob Bankhead]

South sister is a non-technical walk-up (albeit a cinder slog). The access
trailhead is on the south side, an easy detour east from the PCT. 

Both North and Middle sister are true technical climbs due to rotten rock.
You can forget those.

Mt. Thielsen, just north of Crater Lake, has a PCT junction with its
climbing trail. All but the last few meters are reportedly accessible
without climbing gear. It is worth noting that Mt Thielsen is called "the
lightening rod of the Cascades" for a very good reason. Watch the weather
and be ready to retreat if skies darken. 

None of the other Cascade volcanoes are climbable (summitable) without
technical gear. In the Goat Rocks Wilderness of WA, you have the option to
take the old PCT high trail that goes up and over Old Snowy rather than the
current PCT across the Packwood Glacier. The junction is shortly before you
reach what's left of the old Yelverton Shelter on the PCT.