If he goes to Indian Heaven next weekend, after Labor Day, that's a great early September backpack. One thing to be aware of there is that IH is very popular with bow-hunters. Not that they are a hazard; a bow hunter won't shoot unless their quarry is both near, very visible, and is verifiably a deer or elk. It's just that they can startle you, since you can't often see them until you're right on top of them. And if you hear bull elks bugling all around you, you never know if it is really elk or just bow hunters trying to lure in some prey.
And it is worth mentioning again that fire danger is extreme and no campfires are allowed outside of developed campgrounds. Backpacking camp stoves must have a shut-off valve, which, if I recall correctly, excludes both alcohol stoves and Esbit tablets.
2 Night Backpacking Loop - Recommendations
Re: 2 Night Backpacking Loop - Recommendations
And just remember that unlike anywhere else in this region, Indian Heaven gets a late season rush of backpackers who avoided the area in summer to miss he mosquitoes. Certainly it will be less crowded than before that, but IH is not lonely in September.
Re: 2 Night Backpacking Loop - Recommendations
The Roaring River / Serene Lake Loop starting from Shellrock Lake trailhead makes a very good trip for taking newbies while still providing interest to others. You can either base camp at Serene, or you can easily include Shining Lake or Cache Lake on day 3.
The Bull of the Woods area is also very overlooked. You can make a 3-day trip by moving between Twin, Pansey, and Big Slide lakes or do the big loop around the wilderness.
Assuming it isn't on fire.
The Bull of the Woods area is also very overlooked. You can make a 3-day trip by moving between Twin, Pansey, and Big Slide lakes or do the big loop around the wilderness.
Assuming it isn't on fire.
Re: 2 Night Backpacking Loop - Recommendations
Well, Indian Heaven is now closed due to the East Crater fire, so seems unlikely that will reopen by next week.