CHS 2 Hike - Thompson Lake

Lovely approach through shaded forest beside Granite Creek with plenty of stream crossings that should be mostly try this time of year. We'll take short pauses at the first bridge, waterfall, and Granite Creek / Thompson Lake junction sign, then head up more seriously into the woods to access Thompson Lake.

If the weather agrees with us, plan for WADING/SWIMMING TIME IN THE LAKE. Bring wading shoes, swimsuit, and towel!

This is a great choice for anyone who wants to avoid the mid-summer sunshine, as there's great cover for most of this trip.

From the WTA site, a description of the hike: 

From the trailhead, the trail parallels the road for about a mile before switchbacking away. Traverse the hillside, crossing many creeks as you go. The forest here is deep and lush, and burbling water accompanies you as you trek along. 2.8 miles from the trailhead, arrive at a junction. The trail coming from the left is the Granite Creek Trail, which starts at a trailhead. Turn right at the junction.

Now you’re paralleling Granite Creek. Just a tenth of a mile from the junction, a spur trail to the left offers an overlook of the creek, and another tenth of a mile on, a lovely new bridge is a great place to stop for a break. Here, you’re three miles into your hike.

It’s two more miles to your next significant junction. Be aware that this section of trail is prone to flooding and in the shoulder season, you may need to ford creek crossings. A little more than a mile from the first junction, look to the right for views of Mailbox Peak. 0.7 mile past those first views, arrive at a second junction. To the right is a trail to Granite Lakes. We'll fork to the trail to the left. It’s 2.1 miles of up-and-down to Thompson Lake, which sits just inside the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Once we arrive, we'll break for lunch, and hopefully get in the water!

Park at the spacious Granite Creek trailhead on Forest Service Road 56 / NF-5600 along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
Google Map for Granite Creek Trailhead: 
https://share.google/GIkLSSDtHPXE1LXc1

We’ll meet at the trailhead at 6:40am and introductions by 6:50.  Boots on the trail at 7am! There is no cell service beyond Mailbox Peak, so late notifications won't reach me.

Post Hike will be at South Fork North Bend:
https://southforknorthbend.com/