This was the perfect Indian Heaven Hike – picturesque lakelets, dazzling red huckleberry bushes, a sunny blue sky and….NO mosquitos. My group hiked into Blue Lake from the Thomas Lake trailhead. This is six miles shorter than the hike out from the Cultus Creek trailhead and eliminates the grueling climb out of the campgrounds. The result was a moderate 7 mile hike with a 900 ft elevation gain. The hike began in a wooded area, and we passed three lakes within the first 0.7 miles. After several steep pitches, we broke out into a wooded plateau that showcased the lakes and fall foliage that make Indian Heaven so special. There was a confusing junction 2.1 miles from the trailhead where we met two other groups trying to decide which trail to take. We ventured to the right, which turned out to be the correct choice. Blue Lake was an enjoyable destination for a day hike. There was a nice picnic area with good views and places to sit. Blue Lake would also make a good destination for a back pack, especially if you wanted to use it as a base camp while exploring other parts of Indian Heaven.

FOUND - small-sized, silver-colored women's ring on a lakeshore in the southern portion of Indian Heaven Wilderness near the PCT. If you think it's yours, please email oliviaduren@gmail with a description. Hiked in from the Thomas Lake trailhead with a 5-month old to stay 2 nights. Great trail with a baby - low elevation gain, short, no bugs this time of year, lots of dayhiking options after camp is set up. As you might expect, crowded on a weekend with some folks unable to find sites in this designated site only area.

We were looking for some good miles and decided that the Indian Heavens should do the trick. Given this odd year with reports of no mosquitoes we got a fairly early start and got to the Thomas Lake trail head about 8:15am. The main part of the lot was just about full, presumably all backpackers as their cars were all wet. We hiked from the Thomas Lake trailhead to Blue Lake then onto the PCT for a lollipop loop around Clear Lake, passed Bear Lake with a side trip to Elk Lake and back onto the PCT to Blue Lake and out. Cool, foggy weather eventually gave way to partly sunny skies though it remained fairly cool especially around Blue Lake where it seemed much cooler than the surrounding areas. Huckleberries were plentiful, and there were no bugs, and although there was plenty of bear scat we didn't see any wildlife other than a squirrel or two. (We did see 2 Elk on the drive in and 1 deer on the drive out). We crossed paths with tons of hikers and backpackers, and met one PCT thru-hiker and one bear hunter. Due to the clouds, views were mostly limited to the lakes but the cool weather made it great for getting some decent miles without being overheated OR tempted to stop and relax for too long. Overall it was great day in the Indian Heavens. We stopped by Blue Lake on the way out and visited with friends who had backpacked in while we were on our loop trip. They had caught one trout so far, so apparently the fish are biting :).

A great day hike with my wife and daughter, and our two dogs. The weather was warm but the hike was pleasant, especially when in the woods themselves. Met about a dozen other hikers either coming or going. Three other dogs hiking too, and they were all on their best behavior. (In fact our dogs played with another hiker's dog at Rock Lake). Our daughter met one of her fellow soccer coaches on the trail! Small world! We are just getting started back into hiking, and this was a great one. No bugs this hike so we were very fortunate. The roads were fine; road 60 was a little washboardy, but no problem for our Honda CR-V. Kicked up a lot of dust even driving slow though. We are going to work up to doing some overnight trips in the same area, possibly the same trail. None of the sites we passed on the trail were occupied, but a couple of hikers we met were planning on camping.

Did a weekend (9/27-28) backpack at Indian Heaven wilderness in southern WA. The huckleberry leaves are brilliantly red, and grass are yellow, lakes are green, some blue, small and big. We camped at Blue Lake (the bluest of them all) - designated campsites only. However, not much huckleberry along PCT. Actually rather boring along PCT - all woody, shaded, beargrass. I also hiked along Thomas Lake trail for a bit, more meadowy than PCT, but not much berry to speak of. The northeastern part, down to Junction Lake, are full of berries. Lemei trail is a worthwhile side trip: its high point - not much higher, provides views to Adams and Hood. We also scrambled up to Lemei Rock - better view, Rainier and Helen included. On our way back on Sunday, 2 of us (not me) bushwhacked to South Crater, where they could see the tip of Rainier. Not a whole lot of distant view on the trail itself. The fall color made up for it. The lakes are pretty, swimmable. A bit cold. Well, if I go again, I'd camp around those lakes that have huckleberries! Trailmap of that I did: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQhrpKi5UJo/VCsK5ZGJNsI/AAAAAAAAFUY/bKXaFeZwP-c/s1600/route.png