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Indian Heaven--unmaintained trails

Posted by Grannyhiker (2006-10-27)

I explored one unmaintained trail and found the beginning of another in the Indian Heaven Wilderness over Labor Day weekend. Both are accessed from the Thomas Lake trailhead off Road 65.

Sullivan's 1993 edition (and also the current edition) mentions an unmaintained trail that leads from near Blue Lake to Junction Lake, at some distance from but paralleling the Pacific Crest Trail. I found this trail well-used and easy to follow, leading through beautiful meadows (the PCT is mostly in forest, probably to protect the fragile meadows from "Interstate 2000" traffic). The meadows are full of heather and huckleberry so should be especially beautiful in July (if you can survive the mosquitoes!) and in late Sept.-early Oct. Including this trail turns the partial loop described in described in http://www.nwhiker.com/GPNFHike63.html into a figure 8 so that the only trail traversed twice is between Blue Lake and the trailhead. Along the Thomas Lake Trail towards Blue Lake, find a sign "Blue Lake 1/2 mi." and a quite visible path to the left with a few sticks over it. To find the northern end, go south on the PCT from the Lemei Lake trail junction, cross the dry (in late summer) outlet of Junction Lake, and find a sign "East Crater Trail 1/8 mi." Just past this sign is a distinct path to the right (as you hike south) in a small grassy meadow. The group from Portlandhikers.com who went up Oct. 13-15 also followed this trail. http://portlandhikers.com/forums/1/8117/ShowThread.aspx In late summer there are no water sources for camping along this trail. I hope anyone who uses this trail will respect the fragility of the meadows and stay on the path. As mentioned, I'm sure that's why the PCT was rerouted to the forest.

There is another unmaintained trail shown in Sullivan's 1993 edition which leads north from Rock Lake to Acker Lake (just south of Bear and Elk Lakes). There is a 4-way junction at Rock Lake (about half-way between Thomas and Blue Lakes)--you go right for Blue Lake, straight ahead to the shore of Rock Lake, or left for this trail to Acker Lake. I explored the first 1/4 mile of that. The trail is clearly marked and looks fairly well-used that far. (There is also a very dead horse which should be only a skeleton by next summer.) I want to go back to try it next year and find out if there's a way to connect from Acker Lake to the PCT or Bear or Elk lakes.

Re: Indian Heaven--unmaintained trails

Posted by Martell (2006-10-28)

If you look at the topo maps of the area on topozone, they show the old trail system in Indian Heaven. We were able to find some of the old trails fairly easily.

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