Indian Mountain Loop

Indian Mountain Loop is an 11.5-mile circuit from Wahtum Lake that links Wahtum Express, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Eagle Creek Trail #440, Indian Springs Trail #435 and Indian Mountain Trail #416. It reaches the rocky summit of Indian Mountain, then returns to the lake by a forest road and the PCT. Allow about eight hours for this full-day outing; the distance includes the summit spur and the lake access from the trailhead. A shorter PCT out-and-back to Indian Mountain is a different hike.

Wahtum Express drops steeply on steps through old-growth noble and silver fir to Wahtum Lake, then follows the PCT's south shore to Eagle Creek #440. Eagle Creek quickly leaves the lake behind. The trail passes through old forest beside East Fork Eagle Creek, crossing several streams and repeated talus slopes. It passes Upper Eagle Camp and a small waterfall before reaching Indian Springs Trail #435.

#435 brings the main climb: it rises steeply along the ridge crest through fir forest, small meadows, talus and damp spring-fed ground. Openings look down the Eagle Creek drainage and toward Chinidere Mountain. At the Indian Springs area, the route turns onto the PCT and climbs out of the drainage again.

The PCT crosses a creek before climbing an open slope where views widen toward Mount St. Helens, Rainier, Adams and Defiance. At a signed, cairned junction, #416 branches across a meadow and through subalpine forest to the rocky summit. Remains of an old lookout and a summit register sit among the rocks; the south side falls away steeply. Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson are the reward from the top. For a summit photo, include the lookout remains with the distant peaks to give the view a sense of scale.

Retrace #416 to the access-track junction, then take the short track down to Forest Road 1310-660 and reconnect with the PCT. The return traverses Waucoma Ridge through old-growth fir, with several more talus crossings and occasional Mount Hood views. This is not a direct road walk back to the car: the loop follows the PCT to Wahtum Lake, then retraces the shore and steep Wahtum Express steps.

At 11.5 miles and about 2,640 feet of gain, this is a hard, full-day hike. Creek crossings and talus slow the route; the open ridge can be windy, and the summit's south side is precipitous. Snow commonly keeps the PCT inaccessible until June, with summer into fall the usual hiking season. Check current forest alerts and trail conditions before driving in.

The day-use parking area beside Wahtum Lake Campground serves this trailhead. Reach it on Forest Road 13, then the narrower Forest Road 1310; both can carry heavy summer traffic, and rockfall is a road hazard. The Forest Service accepts only an annual Northwest Forest Pass for this access. A vault toilet is available at the trailhead, but there is no potable water there. No potable water is confirmed along the route, and all dogs must remain leashed.