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    Hikes/United States/Washington State/Gifford Pinchot National Forest

    Blue Lake Hike Indian Heaven Wilderness

    Difficulty
    This reflects the 10Adventures difficulty rating for each route. We aim to keep ratings consistent across regions.
    Moderate
    Duration
    This reflects the estimated time the majority of users will take on this trail. If you are slower, add time to the top-end figure. If you are fast, then you may complete this route faster than this time range.
    5.5-7.5h
    Distance
    This reflects the return distance of this route as measured by the GPS file.
    20.1 km
    Elevation
    This reflects the total elevation gained throughout this route as measured by the GPS file. This includes all ascents and descents, and is higher than what is quoted in most route guides, which simply measure the distance between the starting-point and high-point of the route.
    665 m
    User Ratings
    These ratings are completed by users who have completed this trail and not subject to reviews by 10Adventures.
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    Indian Heaven Wilderness is an excellent hiking destination, with countless wildflowers, mountain views, and more picturesque lakes than you could count. The Blue Lake Trail leads you to the shores of Blue Lake, which you can either visit on a day trip or use for backcountry camping. This hike is 199.6 km long and rated as moderate.

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    Route Description for Blue Lake Hike Indian Heaven Wilderness

    Indian Heaven is an excellent place to spend a day or weekend hiking. With mountains, a plethora of lakes, and expansive wildflower blooms, it doesn’t disappoint. Blue Lake Trail takes you from Cultus Creek Campground to the lake, which can be used for backcountry camping. You can extend this hike using the connecting trails if you’d like.

    Beware, Indian Heaven is full of bugs in the summertime. You’ll need every protection you can get against the mosquitoes and horseflies. We recommend a hike in later summer to avoid the bugs.

    Beginning from the campground, begin hiking up the basin wall, taking a few switchbacks to skirt underneath Bird Mountain. You’ll pass Cultus Lake and Deep Lake. Stay right after Cultus to Pass Clear Lake and Deer Lake. Continue between the two past Bear Lake. Hike past marshes and tarns with East Crater not far beyond, soon reaching Blue Lake. From here, you’ll retrace your steps to the trailhead.

    Getting to the Blue Lake Hike Indian Heaven Wilderness Trailhead

    The trailhead for the Blue Lake Trail is in Cultus Creek Campground.

    Route Information

    • Backcountry Campground

      Blue Lake Backcountry

    • When to do

      July-October

    • Pets allowed

      Yes - On Leash

    • Family friendly

      No

    • Route Signage

      Average

    • Crowd Levels

      High

    • Route Type

      Out and back

    Blue Lake Hike Indian Heaven Wilderness Elevation Graph

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    Blue Lake Hike Indian Heaven Wilderness Reviews

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