Indian Heaven Wilderness
| Indian Heaven Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 526: Unable to find the specified location map definition: "Module:Location map/data/USA relief" does not exist. | |
| Location | Skamania County, Washington, USA |
| Area | 20,960 acres (85 km2) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
Indian Heaven Wilderness is a protected area located inside the Gifford Pinchot National Forest of southwestern Washington state. Originally known to the Indians as "Sahalee Tyee," the area has been and remains culturally important to Native Americans.[1] During the past 9,000 years, the Yakima, Klickitat, Cascades, Wasco, Wishram, and Umatilla tribes gathered in this area for berry picking, fishing, and hunting.[2]
Landforms
The wilderness consists of some 20,960 acres (85 km2) of forested plateau, with meadows and at least 150 small lakes, ponds, and marshes.[2] The wilderness also contains the Indian Heaven volcanic field. Lava once flowed from the numerous volcanic cones that rise above the plateau, consisting mainly of overlapping shield volcanoes, spatter cones, and cinder cones, which averages 4,500 feet (1,400 m) in elevation. The wilderness' highest point is Lemei Rock (5,927 ft), whose crater now contains Lake Wapiki.[3] Some of the most prominent volcanic peaks include Lemei Rock, Bird Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain, Gifford Peak, East Crater, and Red Mountain. Big Lava Bed is the result of the most recent volcanic activity about 8,200 years ago.
Fauna
Deer and elk reside in the wilderness area until winter snows drive them lower, along with black bears attracted to the abundant ripening of fall huckleberries.[3] Numerous bird species reside in the wilderness along with various small forest animals, such as chipmunks.
Plant Life
The forest conifers consist mainly of Subalpine Fir and Douglas Fir. The area (including the Sawtooth Berry Fields) is known for its abundant huckleberries in mid-August to Early September. They grow abundantly in the old, fire-scarred forest meadows burned in the past by Natives to stimulate more huckleberry production.
Recreation
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail passes north/south through the wilderness, which is known for its many lakes and spectacular views of four nearby volcanoes: Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Rainier. It is also known to hikers for an intense population of mosquitoes throughout the summer. Other major trails in the area are Indian Heaven Trail and the Cultus Creek Trail, which climbs up the east side of Bird Mountain; and Lemei Trail which traverses up the east side of Lemei Rock and passes by Lake Wapiki. In late fall, the huckleberry bushes provide excellent berries as well as intense orange color in some years.
-
One of the Race Track Lakes near the Indian Racetrack.
References
- ^ "US Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest: Indian Heaven Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ a b "Wilderness.net: Indian Heaven Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ a b "GORP: Indian Heaven Wilderness". Retrieved 2008-11-08.
See also
