Summary 
| Difficulty | 2 Beginner-intermediate |
| Length | 3.4 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6700 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+400, -400 feet round trip |
| Navigation | Road |
| Time | Several hours |
| Season | December through mid-April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Low |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Calaveras Dome, Tamarack |
| Start | Junction of Cabbage Patch Road and Highway 4, 0.2 miles west of the Cabbage Patch Highway Maintenance Station. The parking area is very small. |
Description
The tour to Thompson Meadow is an excellent choice for beginners who have mastered the basics techniques of cross-country skiing. The tour is along easy to follow roads and the gradient is minimal. At the meadow you can enjoy a snack or lunch, and explore its half-mile length.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.5
Elevation change: +100 feet
From the trailhead (1) ski north (right) on the snow-covered road for 0.5 mile until you reach a road junction (2). The road to the west (left) leads to Blue Creek Point. This tour continues straight-ahead to the northeast.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.5 - 0.9
Elevation change: +50 feet
Continue northeast (straight) for 0.4 mile until you reach a road junction (3). The road to the northwest (left) is part of the Mattley Road and Mattley Ridge tours.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.9 - 1.4
Elevation change: +150, -50 feet
Continue northeast (straight) for 0.5 mile until you reach the location where the main road makes a sharp turn to the south (right) (4). This is about 100 yards past Big Meadow Creek.
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.4 - 1.7
Elevation change: +50 feet
Leave the main road and continue to the northeast (straight) on a lesser road for 0.3 mile until you reach Thompson Meadow (5).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 1.7 - 3.4
Elevation change: +50, -350 feet
Retrace the route for 1.7 miles back to the trailhead (1).
