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Weekend Gem: Lemei’s Loop-Indian Heaven Wilderness

Posted by eriksoltan on Oct 11, 2015 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Lake Wapiki and Adams

Miles of lakes spread out in meadows of gold and red can be accessed by relatively flat trails, that’s Indian Heaven! This 25 mile loop takes it all in, while passing the ancient cones of East Crater and isolated Lemei Rock with its subalpine meadows complete with quiet tarns where it is more likely you will see an elk rather than another human. From Portland, drive east on I-84 to Cascade Locks. Cross the Bridge Of The Gods and turn right on Highway 14. Drive through Stevenson,(home of Walking Man Brewery!) then turn left on Wind River Road, marked for Carson. Drive up the hill to Carson then continue north on Wind River Road for another 13 miles to the fish hatchery. Turn right and continue on Wind River Road for 15 more miles to the Rush Creek Snowpark. Turn right on Road 6507 and drive 4 miles to the end of 6507 at Road 65. Turn left on Road 65 and drive a half mile to the trailhead on the right. Take trail #111 as it gently climbs out of the forest past Dee, Heather and Thomas Lakes, named for Forest Service Workers who cared for this area long ago. As you climb higher, the lakes get better as they open up to lovely meadows before ending up at the PCT and Blue Lake with its great camps. Make a left on the PCT and head north as views of Mt. Adams appear when you finish rounding East Crater and end up at Junction Lake, a great spot for a lunch break.

Take the PCT through open rolling meadows, that feature some of the best fall colors and huckleberries that the Northwest offers, to a great little lake at the foot of Bird Mountain. This is a good camping spot if you are hiking this loop in three days, or take a break and soak it in before taking TR #108 as it plunges down to Cultus Creek Campground. Once at the Campground, take Indian Heaven Trail #33 as it climbs back into the high country to an intersection with Lemei Rock Trail #34, and make that left. This was my favorite stretch of trail on this loop, it follows edges of fantastic meadows to the rocky shoulder of Lemei Rock where the camping options are endless. I suggest following this rocky shoulder a bit further in the same direction to a nice little off trail tarn that straddles the parkland on the right and the basin of Lake Wapiki far down on the left, a great camp is on this saddle complete with a view of Mt. Adams, and relish your 15 mile day. Get up the next day and take the trail back to TR #33 and make a left and then another left onto #179 as it goes by Lemei Lake and then Junction before retracing your steps on the PCT back to the Thomas Lake Trail and your car, a 10 mile day. This area is best in late September until the snow starts falling in October when the huckleberries are ripe and delicious, the fall colors are good and the crowds and mosquitos are gone.