), so I opted for a dayhike in the Indian Heaven Wilderness. Having explored the S end of the wilderness in August in bad weather, I thought it deserved another look in the excellent weather we had on Friday. I really wanted to explore the Basin Lakes (Peggy, Janet, and Darlene), mainly because they didn’t seem to be accessed by an established trail. You can get to the S end either from the Falls Ck Horse Camp TH or along the PCT from the Crest Horse Camp TH; I chose the PCT approach because it is a mellow, pleasant path through the forest past two small lakes (and getting to it also involves minimal driving on gravel roads).
After barely a mile, I came to one of the Sheep Lakes that sits right next to the PCT. Although there were mosquitos around, at no time were they anything more than just minimally annoying, even at the lakes.
And, barely a mile later, to Green Lake,
whose summer draw down has created abstract patterns in aquatic grasses on its surface.
Soon a the trail opens on a meadow, with Red Mountain in the distance. The little white dot on its summit is the lookout.
I continued N on the PCT, past its junction with Trail #171A (my return route), and started the gradual climb up the flanks of the aptly named Berry Mtn complex, where there were still a few handfulls of ripe and tasty huckleberries along the trail plus a good view of Mt. Hood and Red Mtn (with lookout). Jefferson is barely visible just right of Hood.
At some point in the past, the PCT was re-routed to go over, rather than E of the Berry Mtn complex (the 1:24K map is correct, the 1:100K map is not), which is great because it gives you views of Adams,
and St. Helens. The Basin Lakes are amongst the trees in the foreground.
The PCT descends into a saddle just S of Gifford and it was here that I left the PCT and headed W downslope toward Darlene Lake. I was prepared to simply go XC but suspected that, given the long history of human use in this area, that these lakes were served by a use trail or two. It was no surprise, therefore, when I hit a very good use trail not 20’ below the saddle. I followed this trail, which had very clear and very sketchy sections, toward the lakes.
Following this trail made me miss Darlene Lake and took me directly to the little jewel that is Janet Lake.
I could see big fish in the lake through it's clear waters but no sign of campsites. The use trail continued NW around Janet Lake, probably heading toward Peggy Lake. I would guess that there is also a use trail of sorts that follows up the Falls Ck drainage for a shorter approach from the Falls Ck Horse camp. Having not yet visited all these lakes is just a good excuse to come back to this wonderful area. Since I’d planned a loop, I headed SW from Janet Lake XC toward Trail 171. Except for thicker vegetation (and nettles!
) around creek crossings, this traverse was through remarkably open county.
In less than a mile, I intersected Trail 171 and turned left on it, heading SE to Race Track Lake, which is showing its shoreline in the late summer draw down.
The lake sits on the edge of the Indian Race Track meadow, which is also where Trail 171 joins Trail 171A.
I followed 171A and then the PCT for a leisurely walk back to the TH. Sunshine, warm (but not too hot) temps, minimal bugs, views, lakes – another great day in the woods! Even though it can have a short season and way too many bugs, I'm starting to put Indian Heaven among my most favorite places to hike near Portland. In the Fall - after the snow is long gone and the bugs are dead - it's just a wonderful place to visit
. Overall, 13.3 mi, 2000’ gain.
