Lake Wapiki

[drm]

The snotel at Surprise Lakes melted out last week, so the rush is on for early season Indian Heaven trips. I think the lowest lakes may already be snowless and bugged up. Wapiki is the highest named lake in Indian Heaven by a tad. I had snow for the last half mile in, starting just below 5000 feet. It wasn't too hard to follow the trail, but there were some extended snow banks with very short melted sections where you could confirm you were still following the trail.

The lake was mobbed. I've never seen this so early. The prime spot on the peninsula was taken and I think there were at least two other groups. I would say there was still 70% snow coverage there and with that, it got down to 49 at night. And essentially no mosquitoes, though I think that is going to change very soon.

[Chip Down]

That snowy lake looks sooooo good right now

[romann]

That's very nice! My favorite time to hit IHW too, never seen people on Wapiki with snow. Last Sunday Wood Lake looked just a bit more melted than Walpiki Lake in your pictures (and it's almost 500' lower) and snow line was at about 4600'. Such a difference a few days make! But good thing is, mosquitos will be gone quick too - at least at lower lakes - if it stays hot for the next few weeks.

[leiavoia]

If 3 other parties counts as "mobbed", sign me up.

[dirtman]

Did you swim in the lake?

[drm]

That's mobbed for this time of year. And no, I didn't swim in the lake. I walked into to it and stood there - to get some water. I'm really not much of a swimmer. Others were dunking to cool off.