Although it can get crowded on the weekends, there is plenty of room for seclusion on either a day hike or an overnight stay. Some of the best views and meadows within the Mt. Adams Wilderness.
The hike on Killen Creek trail 113 treks through a pine forest, and then just over two miles in a meadow where many different flowers can be found in the summer. Additionally, within this meadow is East Fork Adams Creek if water is needed. The trail continues on, crossing the Pacific Crest Trail. To reach High Camp/Mountaineers Camp/Adams Glacier Camp one must ascend on trail No. 10 for one mile.
Views on this hike include the Goat Rocks, Rainier, and St. Helens. There is an abundance of campsites throughout the meadows which provide privacy even during a busy weekend.
There were few people on the trail this day. Most of the visitors seemed to be from Oregon, judging by...
There were few people on the trail this day. Most of the visitors seemed to be from Oregon, judging by license plates. The trail is in perfect condition. It was great weather, clear but not too hot. Few bugs. The wildflowers are long gone. There's still water available in 2 locations. One stream is about a half mile West of the intersection with the PCT. The other is runs through Adams Creek Meadows along the trail.
This hike offers relatively easy access to high country on a volcano, while maintaining a wilderness feel (as opposed to places like Park Butte, Paradise, and Sunrise). There are good views of Rainier, St. Helens, and the Goat Rocks. The smaller scale of the mountain (compared to Rainier) also makes it easier to watch the transition from forest to meadow to rocks and you hike along.
We had planned to go to Lyman Lake in the North Cascades, but the weather report didn't look favorable, so...
We had planned to go to Lyman Lake in the North Cascades, but the weather report didn't look favorable, so we decided to head south to backpack Adams Creek Meadows. The forecast was for a chance of thunderstorms all four days we were going to be there. Boy were they wrong!
The weather was partly cloudy as we left the trailhead around 12:00pm. The bugs were a little annoying, but we got moving quickly. The trail is basically a moderately sloped straight shot up the the Pacific Crest Trail. It starts in the trees, but gradually opens up into beautiful flower-filled meadows and views of Mt. Adams. We set up camp at Killen Creek right below a beautiful waterfall and surrounded by flowers. A trail maintenance crew was camped across from us. That afternoon we took a short hike up to High Camp. Here you encounter less flowers, but a wide open expanse of glacial remnants and Mt. Adams in all it's glory. That night the bugs were held at bay with a slight breeze.
On the second day we woke up to low clouds that burned off to sunny skies. Today, we hiked the Highline Trail up to a morraine near the base of the Lyman Glacier. The trail from Killen Creek takes you through meadow upon meadow of Lupine, paintbrush, flox, aster, beargrass, and bistort. All of a sudden you leave it all behind and enter a moonscape like terraine. There are plenty of cairns to guide you through all of the boulders, creeks and lava flows. A great trail that gets you close up to Mt. Adams.
On day three we headed the other direction on the PCT, once again under sunny skies, to see if we couuld find Crystal Lake. Again, the trail took us through endless meadows. The Adams Creek crossing took a little searching to find a dry route. About a quarter mile past Sheep Lake you'll see an unmarked footpath on your left. Follow that as best you can to reach Crystal Lake. A great little alpine lake with a nice reflection of Mt. Adams. The bugs here were annoying. We ate quickly and headed back to camp where we packed up a day early and headed out very satisfied. I have never been anywhere in the Cascades where I've seen so many wildflowers. The PCT from Foggy Flat to Crystal lake (about 8-10 miles) was one long wildflower hike.
Icy snow at the trailhead. I used YakTraks the entire hike. A beautiful sunny day with solitude on the...
Icy snow at the trailhead. I used YakTraks the entire hike. A beautiful sunny day with solitude on the way up. Coming down there were many hikers. I saw the usual evidence of the Pileated Woodpecker at the .5 milepost area. There was an alder blowdown at 1/4 miles. I related this to a young man from DNR. He promptly hiked up the trail to remove it. In his words, "I'm here to serve".
A fantastic hike through forest, wildflower meadows, lava fields, and alpine tundra up Mount Adams. It was a very hot...
A fantastic hike through forest, wildflower meadows, lava fields, and alpine tundra up Mount Adams. It was a very hot day and we didn't bring enough water for us or for the pooches (duh). We were fortunate that the mountain decided to be the only place in the state that would get cloudy and rainy that day, so that it cooled down enough for us to do the whole hike. Also there's a nice cold creek at about the half way point. All snow is gone from the trail and the bugs are feasting. Met a volunteer forest service ""employee"" on patrol, a rare treat these days.
This is a beautiful destination to the northern flank of Mt. Adam's. It's a long drive from Tacoma (3...
This is a beautiful destination to the northern flank of Mt. Adam's. It's a long drive from Tacoma (3 hours) so it was a very long day but well worth the time and effort. Take Rd. 23 south from Randle for 32 miles, turn onto Rd. 2329 and in a few miles enter the Killen Creek trailhead - trail #113. Good directions are given in the 100 Hikes in the South Cascades & Olympics book and the roads and trailhead are well marked. Suggested maps in the hiking books are Green Trails Blue Lake and Mt. Adams West. Forget those maps and make it a lot easier and more clear by using Mt. Adams 367S. The trail climbs through nice woods for a couple of miles and then the terrain opens up to high mountain meadows. At 3 miles you reach the junction with the PCT. At this junction, continue straight on the trail that is now High Camp #10. This trail continues for 1 more mile before topping out into the meadow at treeline and the base of the mountain. At the end of the trail there is a clearly designed camp area free of rocks and other debris and sheltered by the small amount of stunted tree growth you will find in this meadow. At this point, we carefully went off-trail to find comfortable lunch spots. The face of the mountain will fill your eyes and is spectacular. Look north and you will see Mt. Rainier. Look southwest and there is Mt. St. Helens. Look around the meadow and see glacial streams (ice cold) and flowers beginning to bloom.
We were bothered by flies all the way up the trail and had to double and triple-dose with bug juice. Thankfully, there was plenty of wind at the top and we were free to relax, eat, photograph and explore without being harassed. Although this is an 8 mile round trip hike, beware that it is either all up or all down........very little level walking. Additionally, the last half mile or so is a very steep scramble up a loose rock trail that is well marked with cairns. As for the wildflowers, the beargrass was in bloom for the first mile. The lupine and paintbrush was in bloom for the 2nd mile. Heather, more lupine and paintbrush is coming on at mile 3 and 4. Should be pretty colorful in another week or two. Bring your trekking poles, sunscreen and bug spray for this one. Plan a long day of it, unless you happen to live near Randle. Take the time if you have it for this beautiful hike.
A perfect, cloudless day offered views out to Rainier, St. Helens, & Goat Rocks. The wildflowers were blooming in...
A perfect, cloudless day offered views out to Rainier, St. Helens, & Goat Rocks. The wildflowers were blooming in profusion from nearly the start of the trail all the way to High Camp. Only a few patches of snow were encountered along the way, nothing that would impede progress or require an ice axe. The view of the Adams Glacier from High Camp is worth every drop of sweat needed to get there. Be sure to pack your insect repellent, the black flies were ferocious. It was a small price to pay for the reward of the fantastic views & all the flowers. Definitely a four-star hike!
100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades & Olympics
USFS Mt. Adams Wilderness
Green Trails Mount Adams West (No. 366)
Blue Lake (No. 334)
Driving Directions
From Randle drive on a road with a sign titled "Mt. Adams" which is a 1 mile south jaunt. When you get to the fork take a slight left on road No. 23 titled "cispus Center, Mt. Adams, Trout Lake, Cispus Road." Staying on road No. 23, which is paved at first, then turns to gravel, until 32 miles from Randle. Turn left on road No. 2329. At six miles (37.7 miles from Randle) park in the Killen Creek trailhead, (elevation 4584).
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