Climb and Ski Mount Adams
Western Washington, hiking, climbing, Best of the NW year-round trails.Climb Mount Adams, Washington’s second-highest volcano.The southern slopes of Mount Adams offer a straight-forward summit route and a 6,000 foot vertical ski decent on crevasse-less terrain making this route a spring favorite for back country skiers.
Register at the trail head. From the rustic Timberline camp at Cold Springs Campground ascend trail to the snow line.
Once clearing the tree line ascend the Crescent Glacier to Lunch Counter Ledge. This is a common camp spot for a multiple-day ascent. Although strenuous the route has few technical difficulties other than steep snow slopes below the false summit on Pikers Peak, weather and elevation. Continue up steepening Suksdorf ridge to the false summit on Pikers Peak. Take in views of neighboring volcanoes Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. Descend slightly across the saddle to the final 600 vertical foot climb to the true summit. This section can be windier and more exposed than the lower south ridges. The Classic Southwest Chutes offer an alternate descent. From the saddle between the Pikers Peak and the true summit drop into the 30 degree slope, 30 feet wide in places to descend 3,000 vertical feet. Traverse hard left into tree lines. Be aware of drainages descending away from the trail head. Traversing in snow following contours or locate the Mount Adams trail to connect with the ascent trail looping back to the trail head.
