Moderate trail takes you along charming lakes and meadows

TROUT LAKE, Wash. (AP) — It adds to the feeling of loneliness when the fog thickens at tiny Chenamus Lake in Indian Heaven Wilderness.

The little lake is scenic enough in its own right, but as the fog thins and thickens there's a surrealistic touch.

At 4,200 feet elevation, Chenamus Lake is in the gray zone, where low clouds will come and go and then come back again during late summer days.

This feels like a place to hide. Or a spot to wait quietly in hopes of seeing a sasquatch.

Chenamus Lake is just one of the lakes on a 9.5-mile hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. While the wildflowers and meadows are past their peak now, so too are the mosquitoes.

And, perhaps best of all, the huckleberries are getting ripe.

Several trails combine to make this loop, one not often hiked because Forest Service maps no longer show the abandoned but still very usable trail connecting Chenamus Lake with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail.

The most gradual route into the interior of Indian Heaven Wilderness starts at the Placid Lake trailhead on Pinchot road No. 3000420. The trailhead, at elevation 4,150 feet, is marked by a sign and parking area.

Placid Lake trail No. 29 loses about 100 feet in elevation as it drops to 19-acre Placid Lake in 0.89 mile. The lake is stocked with trout periodically by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Veer left just short of the lake and follow trail No. 29 to the junction with Chenamus Lake trail No. 29A at 1.25 miles total. Stay on trail No. 29A.

The trail climbs gradually, then levels out, crosses the outlet of Chenamus Lake and arrives at the four-acre lake at 1.95 miles. There's only about 180 feet elevation gain between Placid and Chenamus lakes.

Here's where the trail ends on the map.

At Chenamus Lake, stay on the right side of the lake and follow the trail around and behind the lake. The trail leaves the lake basin and heads into the subalpine forest, gaining elevation gradually except for one short steep stretch.

While there are no trail signs, the tread is easy to follow and hikers have hung orange bits of survey tape at spots where there's a question of which way to go.

At 3 miles, the trail crosses a small creek and then crosses the headwaters of Rush Creek at 3.34 miles and elevation 4,440 feet.

The first large meadow comes at 4.06 miles. There is another big meadow at 4.2 miles. Stay on trail tread on the left side of this meadow until coming to a junction with the original route of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which has since been relocated.

Head north on the old PCT route, pass Acker Lake and arrive at Bear Lake at 5 miles. The old PCT route will climb up a slope and intersect with Pinchot trail No. 176 at Bear Lake. Turn right here for 0.1 mile to the junction with the current Pacific Crest Trail.

Once on the PCT, the rest of the route is easy to follow. Walk north on the PCT for almost two miles and 250 feet elevation gain to the junction with Placid Lake trail No. 29.

The junction of the PCT and Placid Lake trail, at elevation 4,997, is the high spot in the loop. From here, turn left and follow trail No. 29 for 1.5 miles back to the junction with Chenamus Lake trail No. 29A.

Retrace your route back to Placid Lake and the trailhead.

The loop totals 9.5 miles. While there are not any panoramic views, Indian Heaven's mix of lakes and meadows hold their own charm.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.