Difference between revisions of "Blue Lake Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Justpeachy (Talk | contribs) |
(Add to introduction) |
||
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
[[Category:Wilderness Hikes]] | [[Category:Wilderness Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Family Hikes]] | [[Category:Family Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Crowded Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Moderate Hikes]] | [[Category:Moderate Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Hikes]] | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
| − | |||
[[Image:BlueLake1.jpg|thumb|400px|Blue Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | [[Image:BlueLake1.jpg|thumb|400px|Blue Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:ThomasLake1.JPG|thumb|250px|Thomas Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | ||
[[Image:RockLake1.JPG|thumb|250px|Rock Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | [[Image:RockLake1.JPG|thumb|250px|Rock Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | ||
[[Image:RockLake2.JPG|thumb|250px|Meadows near Rock Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | [[Image:RockLake2.JPG|thumb|250px|Meadows near Rock Lake ''(Steve Hart)'']] | ||
| − | |||
[[Image:ThomasLakeMap.jpg|thumb|400px|The route of the Thomas Lake Trail to Blue Lake ''(bobcat)'']] | [[Image:ThomasLakeMap.jpg|thumb|400px|The route of the Thomas Lake Trail to Blue Lake ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
[[Image:IndianHeavenDesignatedCampsitesBrochure.jpg|thumb|250px|Designated Campsites Brochure]] | [[Image:IndianHeavenDesignatedCampsitesBrochure.jpg|thumb|250px|Designated Campsites Brochure]] | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
* End point:[[Blue Lake]] | * End point:[[Blue Lake]] | ||
* Trail Log: [[Blue Lake Hike/Log | Trail Log]] | * Trail Log: [[Blue Lake Hike/Log | Trail Log]] | ||
| − | * Hike Type:Out and Back | + | * Hike Type: Out and Back |
{{Distance|6.6 miles}} | {{Distance|6.6 miles}} | ||
| − | {{Elevation gain| | + | {{Elevation gain|980 feet}} |
| + | * High point: 4,805 feet | ||
{{Difficulty|Moderate}} | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | ||
| − | * Seasons: | + | * Seasons: June to November |
| − | * Family Friendly: Yes | + | * Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids |
* Backpackable: Yes | * Backpackable: Yes | ||
| − | * Crowded: | + | * Crowded: Yes |
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | This hike starts at the [[Thomas Lake Trailhead]]. | + | This hike starts at the [[Thomas Lake Trailhead]]. Once you arrive, there are two tickets to entry. First, display your Northwest Forest Pass in plain sight inside your car. Then, you'll need to fill out a wilderness permit from the box at the trailhead and attach it to your pack. If you are backpacking, camping in the Thomas Lake and Blue Lake areas is only allowed in designated campsites (see the map at the trailhead}. Now, you're ready to start up the trail on a hike that takes you through classic indian Heaven meadows and past 11 named mountain lakes as well as a number anonymous tarns. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | There | + | The Thomas Lake Trail #111 starts in a regrowing clearcut, but soon enters the forest. There's a short climb to the wilderness boundary and you'll reach the first cluster of lakes in about half a mile. On the left, you'll see [[Dee Lake]] and on the right, larger [[Thomas Lake]]. (From [[Deel Lake]], there's the option of heading right on a narrow path around [[Thomas Lake]] that leads past designated campsites and secluded [[Lake Kwaddis]].) Passing over a footbridge, you'll get a good view left to [[Heather Lake]] on the left side of the trail. All of these lakes are tree lined, with typically very calm water. Camping is only permitted in marked campsites in this area. |
Continuing on the main trail, you'll soon come to a trail junction. The left fork goes to [[Eunice Lake]], another medium sized lake. The main trail turns right and climbs a hundred feet to another plateau. Look for a side path on the left that leads to a somewhat precarious viewpoint of Eunice Lake and [[Mount Saint Helens]]. Just beyond this trail is a large pretty meadow. The trail uses a mix of fills, boardwalks and bridges to cross the wet grass. The trail climbs above a small stream, using one switchback and a long traverse just below the crest of a small ridge. More intrepid hikers might want to cross the ridge and drop down to Brader Lake on the other side. | Continuing on the main trail, you'll soon come to a trail junction. The left fork goes to [[Eunice Lake]], another medium sized lake. The main trail turns right and climbs a hundred feet to another plateau. Look for a side path on the left that leads to a somewhat precarious viewpoint of Eunice Lake and [[Mount Saint Helens]]. Just beyond this trail is a large pretty meadow. The trail uses a mix of fills, boardwalks and bridges to cross the wet grass. The trail climbs above a small stream, using one switchback and a long traverse just below the crest of a small ridge. More intrepid hikers might want to cross the ridge and drop down to Brader Lake on the other side. | ||
Revision as of 01:14, 30 January 2021
- Start point: Thomas Lake Trailhead
- End point:Blue Lake
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 6.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 980 feet
- High point: 4,805 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: June to November
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This hike starts at the Thomas Lake Trailhead. Once you arrive, there are two tickets to entry. First, display your Northwest Forest Pass in plain sight inside your car. Then, you'll need to fill out a wilderness permit from the box at the trailhead and attach it to your pack. If you are backpacking, camping in the Thomas Lake and Blue Lake areas is only allowed in designated campsites (see the map at the trailhead}. Now, you're ready to start up the trail on a hike that takes you through classic indian Heaven meadows and past 11 named mountain lakes as well as a number anonymous tarns.
The Thomas Lake Trail #111 starts in a regrowing clearcut, but soon enters the forest. There's a short climb to the wilderness boundary and you'll reach the first cluster of lakes in about half a mile. On the left, you'll see Dee Lake and on the right, larger Thomas Lake. (From Deel Lake, there's the option of heading right on a narrow path around Thomas Lake that leads past designated campsites and secluded Lake Kwaddis.) Passing over a footbridge, you'll get a good view left to Heather Lake on the left side of the trail. All of these lakes are tree lined, with typically very calm water. Camping is only permitted in marked campsites in this area.
Continuing on the main trail, you'll soon come to a trail junction. The left fork goes to Eunice Lake, another medium sized lake. The main trail turns right and climbs a hundred feet to another plateau. Look for a side path on the left that leads to a somewhat precarious viewpoint of Eunice Lake and Mount Saint Helens. Just beyond this trail is a large pretty meadow. The trail uses a mix of fills, boardwalks and bridges to cross the wet grass. The trail climbs above a small stream, using one switchback and a long traverse just below the crest of a small ridge. More intrepid hikers might want to cross the ridge and drop down to Brader Lake on the other side.
The main trail leads to Naha Lake then to a trail junction marked by a sign at Rock Lake. An old version of the Crest Trail leads north from here toward Bear Lake. Turn southward, staying on the current Thomas Lake Trail and pass Rock Lake on the left, followed by Little Rock Lake. The trail in this area passes through an endless series of meadows, tarns and ponds. Lake Umtux comes next, about a half mile farther on the right. After that is Lake Sahalee Tyee on the left and finally Blue Lake on the right. The trail eventually reaches the Pacific Crest-Thomas Lake Trail Junction and you have the options of continuing north to East Crater, south to Gifford Peak, or east to Tombstone Lake.
Maps
- Green Trails Maps: Wind River, WA #397
- Indian Heaven (USFS)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Adams Wilderness, Indian Heaven Wilderness, Trapper Creek Wilderness
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Adams Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- NW Forest Pass required to park at trailhead. Dropbox available
- Wilderness Permit needed. Free at the trailhead
- Camping closer than 250 feet of Blue Lake, Thomas Lake, Dee, Heather, Eunice, Lake Kwaddis, and Lake Sahalee Tyee is permitted in designated spots only. Click on brochure image for a campsite map with coordinates.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Blue Lake
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Blue Lake
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Day Hiking Mount Adams and Goat Rocks by Tami Asars
- Exploring Washington's Wild Areas by Marge & Ted Mueller
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)