West Fork Foss River and Lakes — Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025

Hikes the first 5.5 miles to Trout, Malachite, Copper, and Little Heart Lakes.

Road to the TH wasn’t too bad, but had the occasional washboarding and sizable pothole.

Vault toilet at the trailhead was clean, despite weeks of parks service shutdown. Overnight permit box was empty, likely for the same reason.

First 1.5 miles to Trout Lake were well maintained and easily hiked. Loads of camping spots around Trout Lake, but no campfires allowed in the area - even when fire bans are lifted. Still a great place to pull up a log and sit for a snack.

About 2 miles in, there is an enormous tree blocking the trail. Smaller hikers may be able to squeeze underneath if they don’t mind getting dirty. For everyone else, a makeshift bridge up the side of the tree and across another is available, with carved footholds across. A very fun obstacle, just be careful.

After a few good switchbacks for the next mile or so, you’ll find the turnoff to Malachite Lake. The path is incredibly steep but the lake is serene. Didn’t see many camping spots but there is a toilet.

Continuing to Copper Lake takes you up a little higher and across a gorgeous river crossing where you get to hop across boulders and logs to get to the other side. This was likely the last easily accessible moving water source before the lake, but close enough that campers can easily come here to filter water.

The walk up to Little Heart crosses several large rockslide areas with great views. Little Heart allegedly has several campsites across the log jam, but I didn’t make the trek across to verify.

Snow levels were probably only a couple hundred feet above Copper Lake. Bugs weren’t bad by the lake but gnats were in biblical quantities at the Copper Lake campsite. Site was well sheltered from the wind but footprints for tents were quite small. There is also a toilet down the trail but is quite steep.