|
  
 From
the Falls Creek Horse camp you'll have easy
access to the Indian Heaven Wilderness and
all the beauty and adventure that awaits
there.
The horse camp itself
is on the smaller side with only 4-6 spots
available and those are limited to smaller
truck and trailer rigs due to tight turns in
the campground. Amenities include fire pits,
highlines, picnic tables, and a vault
toilet. Stock water can be dipped from the
nearby Falls Creek.
The Falls Creek trail
is the only trail that originates in the
campground to access to the Indian Heaven
Wilderness area you'll need to cross Forest
Service Road 65 to the Indian Racetrack
trail #171. Trail #171 starts on FS 65 two
tenths of mile north of camp.
A recommended route
for this area is Falls Creek Horse Camp to
the Indian Racetrack (Trail#171) for just
over two miles to the junction of the old
Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) whose sign still
awaits at the intersection. Look closely
around you where the two trails meet.
Visible to the casual observer will be the
Indian race track that the trail is named
for. It remains as a clear depression in the
sandy soil.
 Rather
than turn north here though, first head
southeast and into the forest for the trek
up Red Mountain. This is a must visit point
for visitors to this remarkable area. From
the summit's watch tower you can easily see
crests of the volcanoes forming the Pacific
Northwest's ring of fire.
After soaking in the
views from up high return to the Indian
Racetrack and follow trail #171A which takes
you to the newer reroute of the PCT in about
a half mile or so. Head north on the Pacific
Crest trail at this point. Form here you'll
stay on the PCT for 3.9 miles and climb up
the flanks of Berry Mountain in the process.
True to PCT form the trail stays smooth and
wide throughout.
Turn west on the
Thomas Lake Trail #111 once you reach
Gifford Peak and shimmering blue waters of
Blue Lake. A good place to water stock
animals is just past Blue Lake at Lake
Sahalee Tyee.
You'll stay on the
Thomas Lake trail for just over 3 miles and
pass through gorgeous mountain meadows and
lakes in the process before you find
yourself at the Thomas Lake trailhead on FS
road 65 three miles north of the campground
where you started.
Rather than ride
three miles of gravel road back to camp you
can ride .65 miles south then follow the
Terminator Ski trail #159 3 miles to the
intersection on trail #157 which you'll then
follow for another three miles back to camp.
This route is longer than but avoids the
worst of the road riding.
To Get Here:
From WA Highway 14
Turn north at
Wind River Rd stay on Wind River Rd for
about 6 miles
Turn right on Old
State Rd
Take the first left
onto NAtional Forest Road 65 / Panther Creek
road
Stay on National
Forest Road 65 for about 16 miles to the
Falls Creek Horse Camp
NOTE:
A NW Forest Pass is required. For equestrian users Certified Weed free hay
is required.
Information on horse
trails, horse camps and camping and hiking paths for horseback riders and hikers
for Falls Creek
Horse Camp near
Indian Heaven
Wilderness in
Gifford Pinchot
National Forest Near
Carson ansd Trout
Lake Washington and
the Oregon border
Can't find what you're
looking for? Let me know
Trail Sponsors
|
= Easiest
