Bird Mountain (Indian Heaven), 10/19/13: Fall is mostly DONE

[adamschneider]

Yesterday, I explored the north end of Indian Heaven Wilderness. I started west from Cultus Creek Campground, bushwhacked/ridgewhacked my way across Bird Mountain, bushwhacked down to Cultus Lake, then took normal trails south past Lemei Lake to Junction Lake, and took the PCT back north alongside Bird Mountain before finishing on the same trail I started out on. Here's an approximate map:

(Click here for a better map.)

I don't have much time at the moment to post a full trip report, but I wanted to let people know a couple of important points:

1) There's a little bit of snow here and there in Indian Heaven (and quite a bit of ice, too, in shady spots, meaning the nighttime temperatures have been pretty damn cold), but nothing that will keep you off your favorite trails. There are plenty of dry campsites too.

2) The fall colors are well past peak. There are a few huckleberry leaves hanging on, but most of them are dull brown and lying on the ground. Obviously it's still a nice place to visit, but don't go there expecting fields of bright red and orange; you're a couple weeks too late for that.

3) The PCT on the west side of Bird Mountain is seriously boring; I don't recommend making it part of a loop! (In retrospect, I think it would have been better to exit the PCT just past Deer Lake, go east along the north side of Clear Lake, and then return to the trailhead on Trail #33 above Cultus Creek.)

Just a few photos for now:

[romann]

Looks like a great trip - the right mix of trails and XC, some meadows, lakes, and views. Thanks for TR and beta on conditions - I might just head there while this weather holds.

[adamschneider]

Looks like a great trip - the right mix of trails and XC, some meadows, lakes, and views. Thanks for TR and beta on conditions - I might just head there while this weather holds.

Just be sure to modify it so you avoid the dull stretch of the PCT. A better route, in my opinion: