Backpack - Indian Heaven via Thomas Lake

Meeting Place and Time:  2 places to meet with the times listed:   1.   9 to 10am at the Lone Fir Cafe in Cougar Washington.  I will be there by 9am for a late breakfast, early lunch. If you choose to eat breakfast also please be there by 9am.  The benefits of this is to follow me to a rather difficult to explain trailhead.   -OR-   2.  Thomas Lake Trailhead to Indian Heaven  at 11am.

PASS REQUIRED: Northwest Forest Pass or American the Beautiful or National Park Senior Pass needed to park. 

Preference to Tacoma Branch Introduction to Backpacking Students. Trip will open to all Mountaineers based on availability on April 18. Registered participants must provide leader with proof of vaccination before the trip.  

***Leaders Permission required for this trip.  Do not sign up without my permission since I will just remove you from the participation list.***

Trip Description in General:  If you love wild blueberries and huckleberries this is the trip for you!  Both are all over this area this time of year.  On Friday we will hike in about 3 miles and set up camp around Junction Lake.  I hope we get my favorite campsite but there are no guarantees.  I want to see Blue Lake and explore the campsites around that lake so there will be an optional afternoon hike to Blue Lake and back about 4 to 5 miles in all depending upon the amount of exploring we do.  Those who wish not to go should stay around Junction Lake.  On Saturday, the middle day, we will do a MANDITORY loop hike with a few branches for about 7 miles to explore 6 or more other lakes.  We will take time and enjoy the beauty of the lakes; we may swim in one or two lakes if the weather allows.   Sunday we will just hike out.