Indian Mountain Loop Hike

Overview

It's about nine miles round-trip to Indian Mountain, a prominence and former lookout site on Waucoma Ridge, from the Wahtum Lake Trailhead using the Pacific Crest Trail. However, for a couple extra miles you can make a loop and enjoy the old growth forest at the head of the East Fork Eagle Creek drainage and the little-used Indian Springs Trail. The spur trail to Indian Mountain itself provides expansive views and an open field of wildflowers, so this hike has a little of everything, including a mountain lake, gushing springs, viewpoints, blooms, and big trees. Note that the loop option considerably increases the elevation gain, so for an easier amble, you may want to do the in and out on the Pacific Crest Trail. Head down the trail from the Wahtum Lake Trailhead and get to a map board and wilderness permit box. From here, a horse trail leads down to the right, but you should take the Wahtum Express Trail #406J on the left. Descend on scores of steep steps in old growth noble fir/silver fir forest. Come to the junction with the horse trail and go left. Reach the lush shore of Wahtum Lake and the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, and go left. Goat’s beard, arnica, false bugbane and anemone bloom in the thickets trailside. Near the end of the lake, reach the Pacific Crest-Eagle Creek Trail Junction, and keep right on the the Eagle Creek Trail #440 if you're doing the loop described below. In a few yards, there’s the Eagle Creek-Chinidere Cutoff Trail Junction, where the Chinidere Mountain Trail goes down to the right to cross the creek spilling out of the lake. Keep left here. The trail drops beneath outstanding old growth silver firs. The East Fork of Eagle Creek, with its source in Wahtum Lake, rushes below. Enter a slope forest of Douglas-fir, silver fir, noble fir and western hemlock. The trail gradually descends. Cross two talus slopes with a huge Douglas-fir trailside at the second boulder field. The trail is wet with seepage from a spring. Step over a stream rank with devil’s club. Cedars and a hug

Trail Stats

Photos

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