Sawtooth — Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006

South Cascades > Mount Adams Area

Day 2 of my weekend in Indian Heaven with my friend, Ari. As we both had to make a 4-hour drive home on this day, we opted for a shorter hike (than the previous day's trip to Lake Wapiki) and a short car shuttle. We also got on the trail early - well, early for me anyway....about 9:30 AM. We headed up the Cultus Creek trail through the woods, following lots and lots of elk tracks along the way. We didn't see any poop, but it seemed that we couldn't go 20 steps without crossing a game trail. Anyway, on up the trail with the sound of the trees blowing in a strong wind on a clear day until after about 1-2 miles we came to a junction with the PCT. We took a right and headed up along the PCT and the Sawtooth Trail. We ate a nice lunch below Sawtooth Mountain (Or is it a Peak? And how can you tell the difference? Or, who cares?) and watched a hawk for a while overhead. As was the case on Saturday, Mt. Adams was beautiful in the sun nearby. It was still cool though - and the wind did not let up. We headed on up the mountain after lunch and took a side trail to the summit. I'm a chicken, so I didn't make the last 15' to the top. Ari said the view was no big deal after he came down, but I doubt it. He was ""oohing"" and ""aahing"" the whole time he was up there! Back on the trail we wandered along the ridge and eventually caught back up with the PCT in the woods. From there it was another mile and a half of forested strolling until we hit the berry fields once again near Road 24. Despite the need to get back home, I'm glad were were able to spend a good 4-5 hours on these trails. My wife and I visited this area 8 years ago on a foggy and wet weekend. I had no idea what kinds of scenery I wasn't seeing during that trip. I hope it doesn't take me another 8 years to make it back there.