Thomas, Blue and Tombstone Lakes — Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019

We were fortunate, late enough in the season that bugs were almost non existent. Took FR 65 up from Carson and past Panther Creek. There was a washout in the road a couple miles south of the Thomas Lake TH, our SUV has high enough clearance but passenger cars would not make it. Next time we'll go another route (6507?). Trail was beautiful but the signage is not always clear. Personally, this should be called the Blue Lake trail, that happens to go past Thomas Lake. Other than that, conditions were perfect, not too hot, lots of fellow hikers and well behaved dogs, mostly leashed. Good thing, as this was just the second day hike into the wilderness with my pup Sam. Still learning but he handled the hike great! Stopped for lunch at Blue Lake, then on to Tombstone for a break, then back out to the TH. Highly recommend this hike for this time of year. I've gone up to Indian Heaven on Labor Day for the past few years and never disappointed, except when the East Crater fire broke out in 2017 and had to be evacuated! Oh, and berries are everywhere now!