Escaped the smoke and did 2 night backpack through Mt. Adams Wilderness and wow this area is beautiful!

Itinerary: Day 1: Killen Creek TH -> High Camp (4.6 mi, 2300ft); Day 2: High Camp -> Glacier Lake -> Foggy Flats (7.6 mi, 1600ft) Day 3: Foggy Flats ->Muddy Meadows TH -> connector trail -> Killen Creek (8.8 mi, 500ft)

Day 1: Started from the trailhead around 6:30pm and set a brisk pace to hope to make it to camp by sunset. The first few miles until crossing the PCT was somewhat dusty but straightforward. After crossing the PCT the trail gets more rocky and poles were definitely helpful. Golden hour was in full force and we were treated to amazing views of Rainier and the cascades to the north. We arrived at High Camp and found a great creek passing right through camp -- seems in no danger of drying up this year. With poor light we found an established site but found a bunch more near the tree stands in the terminus of the snow-field the next morning. Beautiful stars -- we wished we had slept without our rainfly! Only 1 or 2 other parties camping at High camp on Friday.

Day 2: Woke up to (even better) visibility and decided to trek to Glacier lake before moving camp. We mainly hiked up the snow-field and were treated to views of Mt. St. Helens, Rainier, and, of course, a very impressive Mt. Adams -- we even saw a marmot! For this excursion I definitely recommend having downloaded GPS/maps. After getting back to high camp we struck our tent and headed back down to the intersection of the PCT. Trail conditions were superb and we only saw a handful of other groups. We veered off the PCT to the Highline trail and began the climb to Foggy Flats. After consulting other trip reports, we filled up water at Foggy Flats, but camped 1/2 mile further up at the edge of tree-line near Muddy Fork Creek (too sediment-y to use as a water source and the other small creek has already dried up). After a short nap we decided to do a trail run loop back to PCT->Highline trail->Muddy Meadows Tr. and it was AMAZING. The cloud cover helped with temperatures and the trail was very run-able and flowy. Slept with our fly off and the stars were spectacular. A couple of parties at Foggy Flats camp and 1 other tent near the creek where we camped.

Day 3: Woke up just after sunrise to our dog rustling about in tent and we saw a fox (!) running across the path. Very cool as I had never seen a fox in the wild. Relatively quick (and dusty) miles back to Muddy Meadows trailhead. We took the connector trail the ~2 miles back to Killen Creek TH which was slightly brushy and had a fair amount of horse manure, but was nice to not walk on the road. We stopped by Takhlakh Lake on our way out for a quick swim and it was so spectacular (highly recommend). 

TLDR; Amazing wilderness area, relatively few people, bugs not too bad, dusty trails, and superb views.

Trail starts out clear and steep, but we encountered snow about half way up and it persisted to the top. We were able to follow boot tracks and the random trail spots to make it to the meadow. It was hard work navigating the snow and hidden trail, but definitely worth the view. Took us 2 hours and 10 minutes to get up and 1 hour and 15 minutes to get back to the car

A beautiful fall hike!  I hiked in and out on a Sunday afternoon and saw only a couple other hikers.  The views, once you reach treeline, are magnificent.  It was cool and windy but a family was camped on the ridge, enjoying a spectacular sunset.  Clearly, great work has been completed on this trail.  Highly recommend (I did this adventure along with Muddy Meadows and Indian Heaven). 

We did a 2 night backpacking loop through the trails on the North side of Adams.

Road: Took Forest Rd 23 from Randle and headed someone else's advice to stick with this one (more paved) than the alternate forest road that connects to Packwood. Took us ~1.5 hrs from Randle to the Killen Creek TH. Only the last few miles are rough, but most any car can make it if you take your time. Killen Creek TH was full of cars when we arrived at 12:30pm on Saturday, but we got a spot in a pullout a little down the road.

Trail & Water: Overall very dusty/sandy, but in great condition with evidence of recent trail work.

Day 1: Killen Crk TH to Foggy Flats (~8.5 miles). Took the mellow connector trail from Killen Crk to Muddy Meadows TH, then continued up the gradual and forested trail to Foggy Flats. Only 1 water source along the way, about half way up to Foggy Flats. ~15+ tents at Foggy Flats, it was busier than expected. There are a handful of additional spots about 10 minutes further on the trail, but the closest water source would still be the creek in Foggy Flats.

Day 2: Morning hike out to Devil's Garden. The stream crossings were a bit spicy, but after 10 minutes of picking our way across at each one, we managed it. Water shoes would have been nice. INCREDIBLE views out here, even if you don't actually cross the streams. Moved camp Foggy Flats to High Camp (~4.5 miles). 1 water source on the way, a creek that flows over the PCT just after you join up with it. Trail up to High Camp is a bit brushy and rocky, but so worth it. Plenty of campsites spread out on the plateau, counted at least 10+ tents up here. It was WINDY as heck, even in our sheltered spot in some trees. Small spring with silt-free water is great, but only runs in the afternoon/evening.

Day 3: High Camp back down to Killen Crk TH (~5 miles). Only 1 water source, about half way down, a very small creek next to a meadow.

Bugs: No bugs except briefly a couple mosquitos just past Muddy Meadows.

Berries: Sadly no berries except a few on the connector trail between trail heads.

10/10, Mt Adams is absolutely stunning! I loved being close to the glaciers and seeing Adams, Rainier, Goat Rocks and even a sunset over Mt St Helens. It was worth the long drive out here.

We backpacked a loop from Killen Creek TH, along the connector trail to Muddy Meadows TH. No need to walk the road from Killen to Muddy Meadows TH, there is a trail most of the way which parallels the roads. The trail is on Gaia GPS map. Continued up Muddy Meadows trail past the PCT to the Highline Trail. Short day hike up Highline to Foggy Flat and ~1.5 miles further to fantastic views and perhaps the highlight of the trip. Didn't go all the way to Devils Garden. Then continued on Highline trail to PCT and Killen Creek and down Killen Creek trail to our car. Lovely lake just downstream of PCT along Killen Creek.
Very few mosquitos at this time.