[olderthanIusedtobe]

I've largely neglected this area. Looking at doing some medium to long distance hikes w/out a ton of elevation gain to stretch the legs. Might car camp in the area and do more than 1 (Colonial Creek CG has a limited number of sites that are open w/ no fee until 5/20). At this point looking at Thunder Creek, Panther Creek, and the West Bank and East Bank trails around the lake itself. I've browsed TRs on WTA and here. Having a hard time making up my mind prioritizing which hike (s) I would prefer. Any thoughts?

[Brushwork]

My choice for a longish day would be West Bank to Little beaver ck - to see the big cedar trees. Ross lake will still be low, and you might want to do a tick check.... trees are beautiful!

[lookout bob]

Brushwork...I assume you mean Big Beaver. Little Beaver is accessible by trail from the West end, but dead ends at the lake on the East. If one had a boat..... OTIUTB, I really like Thunder Creek although it would be an in and out on the same trail. If you get up to the upper part of the valley, there are interesting ruins and debris at the old Skagit Queen Mine there. The Skagit is magic.... For an interesting overnight car camping, you might consider the sites on the road into Diablo town. If one had a boat, one could canoe or cruise on Gorge Lake seeing the foundations of the railroad that used to be there up to the dam.

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Thanks for the feedback. Out and back is fine, I wasn't planning on a loop. No boat for me, so that eliminates some options.

[Brushwork]

Yes, I meant Big Beaver, the one not beading a boat.