Getting There: 
At the top of Thompson Pass, trail #404 takes off just on the Montana side of the pass on the North side of the parking lot. There is an interpretive sign where the trail takes off. The trail starts flat as you walk on the remnants of an old road and along the old canal. The canal used to bring water from Montana to the mining activities on the Idaho side of the crest. It is about a mile of good walking and then you turn up the hill into a series of switchbacks. After a bit the trail lines out at a good grade for about 1.5 miles before you top out and drop downhill for a bit before going uphill again; but not nearly at the same grade.
Except for a rocky outcrop and overlook, the entire trail is under the forest canopy and well shaded. There isn’t any water along the trail until you arrive at the lake, so bring enough water for yourself and your dog. The only other trail on this route is a trail coming from the lower horse trailhead that is only 0.5 down the road the Montana side.
At the Lake: The lake has a nice bench above the lake to the right of the outlet that will accommodate several tents and there are several good sites on the left side of the lake. Probably room for about 6-7 different parties to camp. There is a nice rock outcrop that slopes down to the water that would be good for a nap. I have fished this lake several times and have always caught fish; 10+ inch Cutthroats.
