West Foss Lake TrailRecent Trip Reports
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Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns | Overgrown | Bugs
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The good news is that the contractor is even now building the bridge. The other news is that it...
The good news is that the contractor is even now building the bridge. The other news is that it probably will not be completed until November. The West Foss trail to Trout, Malachite, Copper, and Little and Big Heart lakes is one of the favorite backpacking hikes off of Highway 2. The problem is that back in 2006 the beginning of the trail was wiped out by flooding and the river crossing as well.
WTA has been key in rebuilding a new trail to a new bridgehead over the West Foss River. The new trail is wonderful. About a half mile in there is a junction. To the left is the path up to the new bridge, marked with a "no public access" sign. We went up there anyway and talked with the contractor. Beams and bridging are staged and work on the span is in progress. To the right is a flag marked path over stony cobbles to a log crossing which is now quite safe since the water level has dropped. From there to Trout Lake is pretty brushy with several big blowdowns which are easily ducked under. From the Foss Avalanche to Trout Lake the trail is really nice and shows signs of recent improvements. Along the way, note the Mother of all Douglas Firs - a huge tree with a base as big around as an SUV. Beyond the lake, the trail is alternately stony, overgrown, and in a few places, decent. It curves around the mountain on the right through the first of 20 switchbacks. These climb steeply and steadily up over stones, through thick brush, and occasionally decent trail up the canyon to a bridge. Look for scenic views of the spectacular waterfall on the canyon wall opposite. After the bridge the trail climbs to a pleasant bowl, then more switchbacks to a signed junction. To the right is a steep but short trail up to Malachite Lake which reportedly still has snow down to the waterline in places. There is a big cluster of pinesaps at the junction. To the left is the way to Copper Lake. Copper Lake has many nice campsites, big rocks on the water on which to sit and enjoy the view, and box toilets. It also has several very nasty blowdowns with branches and mess that discourage further exploration. Backpackers we met were going on to Big Heart Lake which reportedly still has some snow. We ate the few salmon berries along the way. Some huckleberries are out already and a few mushrooms are beginning to show. Day hike
Issues:
Blowdowns
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We stopped early due to a detour which other hikers described as very primitive and difficult. There was no...
We stopped early due to a detour which other hikers described as very primitive and difficult. There was no signage at the trailhead but at about a half mile in, there was a sign declaring the detour. Photo attached.
Multi-night backpack
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Water on trail | Snow on trail | Bugs
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Camped the night at Trout Lake after getting a late start Friday. Fun trying to cross the river... bridge...
Camped the night at Trout Lake after getting a late start Friday. Fun trying to cross the river... bridge has been out for some time. Several blown downs from the trailhead to Trout, but easy to navigate around. In the morning our objective was Big Heart Lake. Snow overing the trail did not begin until right before Copper Lake. Copper still had large chucks of ice sheets covering parts of the lake but mostly ice free. Two major blow downs on the trail between Copper and Little Heart. When I say major... I mean some serious old grow downage. Trails mostly free of snow until the last quarter mile before Little Heart...lots of snow patches. About a quarter mile past Little Heart on the way to Big Heart the trail gets rather demanding for those unfamiliar with the route. Lots of snow! Did I say lots of snow? 100% for the rest of the trip to Big Heart! We were able to navigate easily because I was very familiar with this hike and area. Ice Axe a must and some form of boot traction device. ( we had Microspikes ) We did find evidence that some other party attempted this route, but no evidence at Big Heart Lake. It's possible the we were one of the first in this year, due to the over abundance of snow. Big Heart is still frozen over but there are patches of open water... mostly at the exit. Hope this is helpful. Ranger Rick over and out.
West Fork Foss River and Lakes, West Foss Lake Trail
— Jul 02, 2011
— Slim
Overnight
Issues:
Blowdowns | Bridge out | Snow on trail
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Headed out on a warm July 2 morning for a 1 night backpack in West Foss lake area.
First obstacle to...
Headed out on a warm July 2 morning for a 1 night backpack in West Foss lake area.
First obstacle to cross is the river, bridge is out and has been for years. The log crossing is getting increasingly riskier, the first 5 feet of log is under a couple inches of water, some rocks have been placed on the log and it is passable, but only for the experienced (or stupid) among us. After the crossing, there are several significant blow downs causing some trail finding and bushwacking. Try to follow the flags (although in one area we were mislead on the return trip) and stay close to the trail! Reaching trout lake, there is possible swimming at the outlet as usual but we didn't try as we needed to hike on. But it looked appealing for a hot day. Hardly any campers here due (presumably) hairy log crossing and blowdowns. Beyond Trout, trail climbs steadily with few blowdowns and no snow for most of the climb. Trail is clear of snow all the way to "the" bridge before reaching Malachite/Copper fork. Soon after crossing bridge, expect heavy SNOW and difficult trail finding. We scrambled around and followed trail as best we could up to the sign splitting to Copper/Malachite. We decided to head to Copper Lake, had trouble following trail, and after a bit of scrambling around, found ourselves accidentally at Malachite, which is covered in snow. We camped on a flat patch of snow here, and it was actually a rather warm evening, with some wind which let up before we turned in for the night. We awoke to light rain and foggy conditions, so packed up quickly and headed out. We did use snowshoes on this descent but it would be passable without them. Hiking poles strongly recommended, and gaiters. Day hike
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Wow! Many thanks to WTA and all the other groups who have been working on the West Foss Trail....
Wow! Many thanks to WTA and all the other groups who have been working on the West Foss Trail. The trail has been completely realigned and graded. The first part is paved with gravel and there is heavy rock work where needed. All blockages have been cleared and new turnpikes constructed. It is really a fabulous introduction to the Foss River. After about a mile, there is a "not open to public" sign and a detour. The detour points to a rock-hopping adventure through brush and braided streams to the Foss River where a sunken log offers crossing. However snow melt has the river running high and fast. The water is over the log for the first 4-5 feet. No way I was going to cross that! According to the trailhead sign, some folks have made it up to Trout Lake. The ranger on site reported that serious snow starts about 3500 feet and the lakes are still snowbound for the next month.
So we explored past the "not open to public" sign to see where they were putting in the new bridge, which is supposed to be completed in late August. Even here where the trail is just roughed out, solid stonework has been constructed. The trail ends abruptly about a mile from the trailhead at a narrow gorge where the new bridge is intended. The road into West Foss trailhead has been graded and cleared and is in great shape. However,from the junction with road 68 all the way back to the pavement the road is a wet gravel slurry that makes driving more like steering a motor boat. |
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