Indian Heaven

Indian Heaven
Lemei Rock in the Indian Heaven volcanic field
Highest point
Elevation	5,925 ft (1,806 m)[1]
Coordinates	45°56′00″N 121°49′00″W / 45.93333°N 121.81667°W / 45.93333; -121.81667[1]
Geography
Indian Heaven Skamania County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	Cascade Range
Geology
Age of rock	Pleistocene and Holocene
Mountain type	volcanic field
Volcanic arc	Cascade Volcanic Arc
Last eruption	6250 BCE[1]
Climbing
Easiest route	Lemei Trail, Indian Heaven Trail, with rock scrambling

Indian Heaven is a volcanic field in Skamania County in the state of Washington, in the United States.^[2] Midway between Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams, the field dates from the Pleistocene to the early Holocene epoch. It trends north to south and is dominated by six small shield volcanoes; these shields are topped by small spatter and cinder cones, and the field includes a number of subglacial volcanoes and tuyas. The northernmost peak in the field is Sawtooth Mountain and the southernmost is Red Mountain; its highest point is Lemei Rock at an elevation of 5,925 feet (1,806 m).

Indian Heaven features both polygenetic and monogenetic volcanic activity; many of its volcanoes have only erupted once before coming extinct, while others have erupted several times. Approximately 50 eruptive centers lie within the Indian Heaven field, which also has approximately 40 lava flows. The field's eruptive output totals 14 to 19 cubic miles (58 to 79 km³), with sporadic activity taking place for the past 700,000 years. The last volcanic activity in the field produced a large cinder cone, Big Lava Bed, as well as a voluminous lava and scoria flows about 9,000 years ago. Future activity is possible, though the Volcano Hazards Program directed by the United States Geological Survey considers Indian Heaven's volcanic threat level to be low.

The volcanic field is surrounded by the Indian Heaven Wilderness, a protected wilderness area within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, supporting diverse flora and fauna. The local area has been inhabited by Native American populations for about 10,000 years, and the name Indian Heaven derives from the indigenous name for the vicinity. A popular recreation destination, the wilderness offers a number of trails, as well as more than 150 lakes for fishing, swimming, and boating.