Indian Heaven Wilderness

Indian Heaven Wilderness
Lemei Rock, highest peak in Indian Heaven Wilderness
Map showing the location of Indian Heaven Wilderness
Map showing the location of Indian Heaven Wilderness
LocationSkamania County, Washington, USA
Coordinates46°00′34″N 121°46′56″W / 46.00944°N 121.78222°W / 46.00944; -121.78222
Area20,782 acres (8,410 ha)
Established1984
Governing bodyUnited States Forest Service
Indian Heaven Wilderness
Ancient Indian racetrack at Indian Heaven
One of the Race Track Lakes near the Indian racetrack

Indian Heaven Wilderness is a protected area located inside the Gifford Pinchot National Forest of southwestern Washington state. The wilderness consists of 20,782 acres (8,410 ha) of broad, forested plateau, with meadows straddling numerous volcanic peaks and at least 150 small lakes, ponds, and marshes.[1] The wilderness also contains the Indian Heaven volcanic field. Originally known to the Indians as "Sahalee Tyee," the area has been and remains culturally important to Native Americans.[2] During the past 9,000 years, the Yakama, Klickitat, Cascades, Wasco, Wishram, and Umatilla tribes gathered in this area for berry picking, fishing, and hunting.[1]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference wilderness.net was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference usfs2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).