Mount Adams South Climb — Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025

Hi, we're the Mountain Goats (Terrence and Nathan), and on 9/1-9/2, I climbed Mount Adams via the South Route. 

Mount Adams has long had a reputation for being a challenging climb and the least enjoyable of Washington's 10,000+ peaks. Nonetheless, the simple fact that Adams is the 2nd tallest peak in Washington makes it a must-do for any PNW hiker. I planned to complete Mount Adams in 2 days. Due to the fact that I'd be starting the summit push from Lunch Counter, I planned on getting to the summit around sunrise. 

After the draining 5-hour drive from Bellevue, I reached the trailhead and got on the trail just after 2 PM. The trail starts by zigzagging through dry meadows and burnt forests as you quickly make your way towards the rocky lower slopes of Mount Adams. I've done a lot of hiking in Washington, but the approach on Mount Adams is the single most dusty trail I've ever been on. (One of the few reasons why people recommend doing Adams in the early summer). 

At 7,500 feet, the trail steepens as you leave the burnt forests behind and pick your way through talus fields. The route finally switches from rock to snow at 8,300 feet. Crampons are unnecessary here as the slope is mild and the snow at this elevation is quite soft. I was able to make great time on the snow, and before I knew it, I had reached the Lunch Counter around 9,100 feet. There are tons of camp spots near the trail, but finding one near running water was a bit more difficult. I ended up camping a bit of trail (around 9,400 feet) near a snowfield and a small creek. Being a fair bit from the trail would later prove to be a bit of an annoyance, but the views of Mount Hood from my campsite made up for it. After eating dinner, prepping my pack, and filtering water, it was time to hit the hay in preparation for what was sure to be a long day tomorrow. 

I got up just after 2:40 am and picked my way through talus fields, reaching the main trail just after 3 am. Staying on the trail proved to be a little bit difficult in the pitch black, but luckily, the talus fields were quite easy to navigate, even when I got a bit of trail. Things really got fun when the snow section started around 9,500 feet. The snow was basically a sheet of ice this early in the morning and perfect for crampons. This was easily my favorite section of the climb. The darkness definitely added to the fun and made the ascent feel a lot more intense than it was. Due to the lack of visibility, I switched from snow to rock multiple times on the way up (on the way down, I stayed on the snow the whole time). This definitely wasted some time, but it wasn't really a big deal. If I did it again, however, I'd just stay on the snow. 

The fun, however, was short-lived as the snowfield ended (10,700') and the rocky push up to Pikers Peak (11,600') began. This part sucked. Once at Pickers Peak, the true summit of Mount Adams is finally revealed. I followed the trail as it traversed the crater before heading North towards the true summit. At this point, the sun was beginning to rise, and the early morning rays looked stunning on the Icefields that cover Adams's crater. After crossing the crater, the true summit loomed above, 1 scree field slog-fest away. 
Before I knew it, I was standing on Washington's 2nd-tallest Peak watching the sunrise. Ranier, Hood, and Saint Helens were all visible, basking in the early morning light. Truly one of the more epic summit views I've witnessed. The only downside is the hurricane-like winds on the summit. Luckily, the old cabin also doubles as a wind barrier. 

Unfortunately, right before heading down, I became nauseous (maybe altitude sickness, although I felt fine the whole way up) and was throwing up all the way down to the glissade shoots at 10,600 feet. Luckily, the glissade shoots are still operational; it's a bit icy, and I took them down to around 9,500 feet. There's one section that's quite steep and slick, so watch your speed and, as always, listen to the signs. DON'T GLISSADE WITH CRAMPONS. 

Overall, this is a must-do Washington climb, but I'd be lying if I said I was going to be anytime soon. It's simply a slog and doesn't have the repeatability factor that a mountain like Baker has. Still, an unforgettable experience and definitely one for the books. As always, Stay Safe and Happy Hiking! Thanks for reading.