Adams Glacier Meadows Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Killen Creek Trailhead
- Ending Point: Adams Glacier Meadows
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Distance: 8.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 2250 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Summer
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Adams Glacier Meadows, also known as High Camp, is one of the highest, easiest to get to alpine areas on Mount Adams. It can get pretty busy on summer weekends, but the meadow area is large enough for many people to camp without being on top of each other. This can be very exposed during bad weather, so keep an eye on the weather report.
This hike starts at the Killen Creek Trailhead (4650'). The Killen Creek Trail goes up and down from here. We want to go up. The trail down goes to a horse campground.
The first 3 miles are easy, wide, dusty in the summer, busy on weekends, and frequented by horses. At mile 2 is a nice campsite, with views of Mount Adams, and a drinking water stream that may dry up by September. At mile 3 is the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). We want to go straight (up) on the Killen Creek Trail.
The PCT right goes round the mountain and eventually connects to the Horseshoe Meadows-Lookingglass Lake Loop Hike. The PCT left is the Foggy Flat Hike.
We are continuing on the Killen Creek Trail above the PCT. The trail gets more difficult - narrower, steeper, and more rocky.
At mile 4.1 (6900') is Adams Glacier Meadows and the end of this hike. There is a nice drinking water stream going through the middle of the meadow. There are nice campsites all around - look above and to the left, or continue straight across the meadow. For some nice views, there is an unmarked side trail that goes along the rocky ridge that you see as you hike up from the PCT.
You can easily walk up another mile (1000' elevation) up glacier moraines to get more close-up views of the mountain.
Return to the trailhead the way you came.
Supposedly, you can traverse around to Foggy Flat and return on that hike.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- NW Forest Pass may be required.
Trip Reports
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