Expect mild summer temperatures and clear, sunny skies this weekend. Saturday is forecast to be the hottest day with a high of just 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Lows may drop into the 40s overnight. We did get some rain Wednesday night. I doubt it’s enough to glue up dusty local trails, but it sure does help. More precipitation looks unlikely over the next 10 days.

I’m going to say it again — now’s the time of year to get into the high country. If you have the time, head into the mountains for your hikes and other adventures. Some areas do require a recreation pass or wilderness permit. Below is brief overview of when you need a permit or pass on how to get one, as well as some recommended spots for recreation this weekend.

For mountain bike and other trail-specific updates, check out bendtrails.org and the BendTrails Facebook group.

Middle Flagline open, Swampy Lakes late-summer loops abound

After being closed for elk calving all summer, Middle Flagline opened in the Swampy Lakes area on Thursday. The 4.2-mile trail with 1,000 feet of climbing connects, along with its upper and lower sections, the Metolius-Windigo trail in the Cascade Lakes area with the Swampy Lakes area trails. The trail that cuts north of Tumalo Mountain was logged out early this season by the Deschutes Trail Coalition (with permission from U.S. Forest Service), according to a post on the BendTrails Facebook group. A Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) crew went out last week and did some work on drains, sightlines and rocks on the Flagline Access trail, which heads out of Ductchman Trailhead. And on Wednesday a crew of six began a multi-day project cutting drains, clearing sightlines and fixing corners on Middle Flagline.

Come the end of summer in Central Oregon most trails are pretty blown out. However, these high-country trails and the Ochocos are possibly the best for late-summer riding. And, according to reports on bendtrails.org, most have been in good shape for the past month.

You can get to these trails via Skyliner and Swampy Lakes trailheads as well as Phil’s Upper Whoops. A permit isn’t necessary to park at Swampy Lakes Trailhead during the summer months.

Trout fishing, paddling on Lava and Little Lava lakes

Fly-fishers are reporting success on Lava and Little Lava lakes, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website. Both lakes have good trout populations, convenient ramps and camping options. With the best times to fish these lakes being early and late season, they will be a good option well into fall.

The lakes are about an hour drive east, 38 miles, from Bend, off of Cascade Lakes Highway. Both lakes are above 4,700 feet and also offer great destinations for a day out paddling, with landscape views of the Cascades and quiet, crisp mountain aid.

According to the Deschutes National Forest website, Lava Lake, which is 350 acres, was formed as a result of lava flows creating a dam along its east shoreline. The old lake has subsurface springs at a depth of 20 to 30 feet in its northeast corner that provide most of its water. Little Lava Lake, 110 acres, is the source of the Deschutes River. The fishing isn’t considered as good as its bigger neighbor, but the state record brook trout — a 9-pound, 6-ounce fish — was caught in 1980 in the river below.

Check out the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website for more fishing reports.

Column: Why I wear a helmet when I skateboard

Where and when to get a recreation pass, wilderness permit

A day-use or annual recreation pass can be purchased on the U.S. Forest Service website. Day-use passes are required to park at many trailheads in the national forests, including Deschutes, Okanogan, Wenatchee, Umpqua and Willamette national forests. Day-use passes are $5, and can be bought online and printed at home. An annual pass is $30 and can be shared between a household.

Wilderness permits are where it gets a little more complicated. These are required in the Central Cascades Wilderness in order to protect and preserve the natural beauty and wilderness experience for all future visitors and to better manage recreation-related impacts. Permits are required from June 15 to Oct. 15 for all overnight stays in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas and to use 19 of 79 trailheads in the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington and Three Sisters Wilderness areas (check out the forest service website for maps).

Individuals seeking a permit should either make a reservation online through Recreation.gov, via the Recreation.gov app or by calling their call center at 1-877-444-6777 or TDD 877-833-6777. Permits are not available at Forest Service offices. Permits are release in two rolling windows of 10 days and two days before the trip. Day-use permits are $1 per person and overnight permits are $6 per person.

To reserve a permit, you must provide your name, alternate permit holder (not required if not applicable), entry date, entry trailhead and group size (maximum of 12). For overnight permits, the length of trip and number of stock (maximum of 12) will be required as well, along with creating an account with Recreation.gov. The Forest Service also recommends identifying alternative trailheads and entry dates in case your trip is unavailable.

For a full list of conditions updated regularly, visit bendbulletin.com/explore/conditions.