Difference between revisions of "Thomas Lake Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
(Add map) |
|||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | The [[Thomas Lake]] area has one of the great beginner hikes in Washington's southern Cascades and is a popular backpack trip for families with young children. There are five lakes to visit on this hike, with designated campsites at | + | The [[Thomas Lake]] area has one of the great beginner hikes in Washington's southern Cascades and is a popular backpack trip for families with young children. There are five lakes to visit on this hike, with designated campsites at three of them. These campsites are shown on a map at the trailhead. The landscape is cloaked with montane forest; there are no views. |
At the trailhead, there’s a wilderness permit station and a boot brush. There’s also a map which shows the locations of designated campsites in the areas of [[Thomas Lake]] and [[Eunice Lake]]. Make sure you've also hung your Northwest Forest Pass in the car. | At the trailhead, there’s a wilderness permit station and a boot brush. There’s also a map which shows the locations of designated campsites in the areas of [[Thomas Lake]] and [[Eunice Lake]]. Make sure you've also hung your Northwest Forest Pass in the car. | ||
Revision as of 23:28, 22 January 2021
- Start point: Thomas Lake Trailhead
- End point: Eunice Lake
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and back with short loop
- Distance: 2.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 225 feet
- High point: 4,310 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: June - October
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
The Thomas Lake area has one of the great beginner hikes in Washington's southern Cascades and is a popular backpack trip for families with young children. There are five lakes to visit on this hike, with designated campsites at three of them. These campsites are shown on a map at the trailhead. The landscape is cloaked with montane forest; there are no views.
At the trailhead, there’s a wilderness permit station and a boot brush. There’s also a map which shows the locations of designated campsites in the areas of Thomas Lake and Eunice Lake. Make sure you've also hung your Northwest Forest Pass in the car.
This well-traveled trail ascends a series of erosion steps in secondary woodland. As you get higher, you can look back to get a partial view of Mount Saint Helens. Soon, however, you’ll enter montane forest with a canopy of mountain hemlock, silver fir, and noble fir. The trail switchbacks and proceeds on the level through an open huckleberry understory. Soon after passing the wilderness sign, you’ll see Dee Lake on your left. A trail to the right, designated "Campsites 1- 3" leads around Thomas Lake, a large body of water that stretches south from trail.
Follow this rough trail along the west shore of Thomas Lake. Former campsites at the lake shore have been decommissioned, with the designated sites removed a distance from the lake. Thomas Lake is a large lake and quite deep, and there are big silver firs near its shores. You’ll pass the first designated campsite just before you round the south shore of Thomas Lake. After you cross the rocky outlet creek, you’ll see a user path on the right leading to secluded Lake Kwaddis. The loop proceeds up the east shore of Thomas Lake, passing through large Campsite #4. Cross a small creek, and soon reach the Thomas Lake Trail again.
Serene Heather Lake is across the trail. Bear right on the Thomas Lake Trail, and soon reach the Thomas Lake-Eunice Lake Trail Junction at the base of a slope. Turn left to visit Eunice Lake, passing a small tarn on the left. Eunice Lake is a quiet lake nestled below a mossy talus slope in deep forest. Return back along the Thomas Lake Trail to the trailhead, or look at the Thomas Lake Trailhead page for longer hiking options in the area.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Wind River, WA #397 and Lone Butte, WA #365
- 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
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount St. Helens - Mt. Adams
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required
- Self-issued wilderness permit
- Outhouse, picnic table, boot brush at trailhead
- $2 toll at Bridge of the Gods each way
- Camp at designated sites only
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Thomas Lake Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Thomas Lake Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Curious Gorge by Scott Cook
- Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington & the Cascades by Joan Burton
- Washington’s Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Scott Leonard
More Links
- Trail #111 Thomas Lake (USFS)
- Wilderness: Indian Heaven (USFS)
- Thomas Lake Trail #111 (Hiking Project)
- Thomas Lake (Oregon Adventures)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)