The 20,960-acre Indian Heaven Wilderness offers miles of little-used hiking trails; you won’t find Mt. Rainier’s crowds here because the average day hiker isn’t willing to drive this far into the woods on beat-up forest roads. The wilderness covers a high plateau that is split through by the Pacific Crest Trail and dotted with small ponds, evergreen forests, meadows, and mosquitoes. It is located due west of Trout Lake [1] and north of Carson [2]. Call the Mt. Adams Ranger District (509/395-3400) in Trout Lake for details.
Thomas Lake Trail is a well-used 3.3-mile path that starts on the west side of the wilderness from Forest Road 65 and passes Dee, Thomas, Naha, Umtux, and Sahalee Tyee lakes before intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail near Blue Lake. Head north on the main road from Carson [2], then turn right onto Forest Service Road 65 for about 17 miles to the trailhead.
The Pacific Crest Trail traverses Indian Heaven Wilderness from south to north. Start at Crest Horse Camp, just south of the wilderness boundary on Forest Road 60 (right off Forest Service Road 65); the trail passes lakes, meadows, and forest for 17 miles through the wilderness area, then connects with Forest Service Road 24 near Surprise Lakes on the north side.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/south-cascades/mount-adams/trout-lake-and-glenwood
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/columbia-gorge-and-wine-country/the-columbia-gorge/carson