West Fork Foss River and Lakes — Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

My destination was Big Heart Lake - I planned on staying until Sunday 10/11, but the trail was more strenuous (and the tread itself worse) than I expected. I ended up staying one night at Copper Lake and turning back (I was first-time-soloing and didn't think it wise to continue.) The road was in decent shape, with some potholes, but easily passable with my Explorer. On the way out, I followed a grader, which improved the mostly-dirt road even more. As stated in the Guidebook, the first mile is on a dry riverbed (there are surveyor's markers that lead you alongside (instead of on) the riverbed at times. Throughout the trail, it's quite important to pay attention to cairns and surveyor's tape. (This trail is no longer being maintained.) Once you reach Trout Lake, you're back in a thicket of trees - you might take the opportunity to use the potty before continuing on because it's a long way before you can step off the trail to do so. You will find yourself ducking low trees quite frequently while you hike this overgrown and at times barely-there trail. I had Copper Lake all to myself, as I'd only encountered two guys hiking out (they had spent 2 nights at Copper). The pit toilet is in good shape and the trail along the lake is also in excellent condition. I selected the site closest to the creek, which was a lovely, rock-enclosed site big enough for all my needs. The trees were thinned out enough that I had a wonderful view of the stars and, later in the night, the moon. It was a chilly 30-something degrees but well worth the cold to enjoy having my rain fly rolled back! Out and back, you will have to scale fallen trees and root balls. I would strongly advise bringing trekking poles, because the descent is dicey without them. I have a weak ankle and a bad knee and I'm confident in saying that there's no way that I could have made it safely back to my car without them! A word of warning - the river crossing can be sketchy both ways. I trusted what Mangy Marmot said in his trip report and followed the pink surveyor's tape on the way to Copper Lake. On the way back, I admit my mind wandered and I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been. I followed a side trail just after Trout Lake that led me to the riverbed too soon. I was too far down and couldn't backtrack, so I ended up having to climb up and bushwack through the thorny and dense thicket that borders the trail. Bring a map and a compass. It saved me a lot of panic. (You're quite alone out here and it could be days before someone happens through.) The guys hiking out indicated that the rangers aren't requiring permits and there are none available at the trailhead. I left a note with all my pertinent information beneath the windshield wiper of my car before departing for the lake. They also said that there was snow closer to Big Heart Lake, so that should be a consideration (it's much cooler there as well). If you have any questions before deciding to do this trek, please feel free to contact me!