Yakima County Highpoint Trip Report
Mount Adams via the South Route
Date: July 6-7, 2008
Author: Ken Russell
The road is now snow-free to the normal trailhead at 5,600 feet.
We (3 in our party) picked up our Volcanos permit at the Ranger Station in Trout
Lake and started up the trail at about 11:00 am. Snow starts almost immediately.
Reached the Lunch Counter by a little after 4 pm and had no
problem finding a good two-tent spot, running snow melt close by. This route
has dozens of rock windscreens built by climbers to provide shelter for tents.
You sometimes feel as if your climbing through an ancient ruin with all the
3- to 4-foot rock walls.
Made a 5 am start with crampons and the snow was perfect for making good progress.
Beautiful sunrise on the peak. Reached the summit (12,276 feet)
shortly after 10 am. Excellent clear day with at least 5 other volcanoes in
sight, stretching from Glacier in the north to Jefferson in the south.
Summit wind blowing at 40+ mph.
Made a 2,000 foot glissade run, from Pikers Peak to the Lunch Counter,
in 20 minutes. Back out to the car by 4:30 pm.