Indian Heaven - Lemei Rock and Wapiki Lake

[drm]

The Lemei Trail heads west from the easternmost corner of Indian Heaven Wilderness. Three miles up, a spur trail cuts off for a half mile to Wapiki Lake. Wapiki Lake is the highest lake in Indian Heaven. Less than a mile further up the regular trail, you pass by Lemei Rock, the highest point in Indian Heaven. It's a steep and loose scramble to the top.

I hiked up the trail to Lemei Rock and scrambled most of the way to the top. But being alone, and with a strong wind, I decided not to go to the top and on the last more exposed section. On the way down, I stopped over at Wapiki Lake. Windy - up to 40pmh gusts - up high. sunny and warm at the lake 600 feet down.

Quite a dense bunch of funjiness next to the trail


The huckleberry bushes are starting to change color in some places




Mt Adams


Wapiki Lake


Lemei Rock. The best route from this side goes up the slope in the middle-right, and then left along the top ridge. The highest point is on the left, or south, end of the ridge


The summit rock from as close as I got


Looking west at Lemei Lake and Mt St Helens


Mt Rainier to the north


Lemei Rock ridge with Mt Rainier


One part of the trail along the ridge


Red Mountain


A meadow along the trail


Wapiki Lake




The pond next to Wapiki Lake

[anna in boots]

Wow, great colors! I think you picked the perfect time to go. I just wanna paddle out into the middle of that lake and lounge all day on an inflatable raft. (Yeah, I know the temperature of the water renders that idea ludicrous, but I still wanna.) I love the view of Wapiki from above with the perspective of the lower hills beyond--feels like you're flying over it like an eagle. Say, just how far away is Rainier, anyway? It looks so close on some days but I know it's way out there.

anna in boots

[Crusak]

nice, your trip reminds me of why I like to hit Indian Heaven this time of year, for all the amazing Fall colors!

[MarkInTheDark]

very nice photos!