Heart Lake via Lily Basin Trail — Wednesday, Sep. 19, 2001

South Cascades > Goat Rocks

This is actually a delayed trail report on a hike taken 8/26. The directions to the trailhead require some slight modification. The trail books list the Packwood Lumber Co. and a motel as markers to find FS48. The Packwood Lumber Co. no longer exists (site is obvious);and, the dominent word on the motel sign is LODGE. FS48 is neither signposted nor marked. FS48 is a decent road excepting a short (50ft) section just past an old gravel pit which is rough. Beyond this point the road gets even better. This trail is popular with Oregonians, 7 out of 9 cars at the trailhead had Oregon plates. The trail is initially a forested ridgeline walk with thining trees and improving views until gaining a stupendous pamorama of Packwood Lake and THE MTN. Progressing further views of Johnson Peak develop and the trail passes through an alpine meadow beneath a striking cliffband. At this point I fell and broke my leg. Nevertheless I would do this one again.