On Friday afternoon, 6/6/25, we drove up to the South Climb trailhead as part of a volunteer training with the ranger district. They really need volunteers so check out how to get involved at https://sites.google.com/mtadamsinstitute.org/gp-wildvolunteerhub/become-a-volunteer?authuser=0
The road has been improved somewhat since previous years- some of the worst monster “tank traps” and potholes have been fixed. So the final .5 mile to the trailhead is not as bad as it was before!
However, a vehicle with high clearance is still recommended for the unpaved gravel road and there are numerous bumps and potholes/ditches in the road to the South Climb trailhead. So leave the poor Prius at home!
You’ll notice the impact of the Williams Mine wildfire as you drive up here- it burned really hot and cleared out dead trees and debris from previous fires.
The parking lot has been cleared of some of the fallen trees and debris so there are more parking spots. At 2pm there were nearly 70 cars there and more arrived before we left at 4pm. Rangers said that weekend parking is a madhouse so be prepared! Don’t park and block the road. Don’t park where it says no parking. It’s a narrow road and the pullouts are necessary for cars to pass each other. And of course emergency vehicles may need to access the area.
PERMITS: to ascend above 7,000 feet between May 1 and September 30 you are required to buy a climbing permit (numbers per day are not limited). All permit funds support this ranger district and Mt. Adams! And you can buy it online: https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/4280e9ae-d010-11ea-8e82-82c0c22bed90
You don’t need the free self-issued wilderness permit if you have a climbing permit. That wilderness permit is only for hikers and backpackers who aren’t going above 7k elevation.
Everyone needs a Northwest Forest Pass to park at this trailhead.
We didn’t hike much of the trail but it’s as dry and dusty as I recall. Rangers say there’s no running water on the climbing route at present.
Skiers reported that the SW chutes are still skiable but navigate carefully to get back to the trailhead- you will need to walk since it’s too melted out to ski back.
What you’ve been waiting for: The toilets are in good shape. There’s TP.
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