Backpack - Indian Heaven via Thomas Lake

Meet at 10 AM Friday at the Lone Fir Cafe in Cougar, reached by driving south on I-5 and then east in Woodland on SR 503.

At the Lone Fir Cafe, we'll have an early hot lunch to fuel up for the later hike to our campsite.  Then we'll caravan for an hour to the Thomas Lake trailhead, by turning left (east) onto SR 503, which soon becomes FR 90, turning right onto the Curly Creek Road, left at FR 30, right on FR 6507, left on FR 65 and right into the Thomas Lake trailhead parking lot, where each car must display either the Northwest Forest Pass or National Park Pass.  The four mile hike into our campsite at Junction Lake will take us by seven other beautiful alpine lakes.

No streams will be flowing at this time of the year, so we will need to filter water from Junction Lake.  Odor emitting substances will need to either be hung from a tree limb or secured in a bear canister at night and while we are away from camp.

On Saturday we'll have an optional loop day hike past eight alpine lakes that will involve  7.2 miles and 500 feet elevation gain not included in the distance and gain advertised for the trip.  On this day hike, we'll have a trail lunch at whatever lake we are closest to at Noon and then take time for a swim, if the weather permits.

Our camp meals will include Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast.  After Sunday breakfast, we'll hike out and drive back to Cougar, where we'll have lunch again at the Lone Fir Cafe, before driving home.  If traffic permits, we'll be home before dinner time.