Mt Adams Backpacking

Mt Adams Backpacking

Horseshoe Meadows w/Mt Adams.

  Mt Adams was a first for me, never been here before, and what a treat it was. Soooo beautiful seeing so many of our wonderful Mountains from one location. We had the pleasure of seeing Mt Rainer, Mt St Helens, and Mt Hood from the trail around Mt Adams. Magnificent hike, which I cant wait to explore the other side.

Itinerary for out Boy Scout Backpacking Trip #1
Trail - Riley Camp Trail #64 to the PCT 2000, to Riley South Trail #64a, to Riley Camp Trail #64 back to the TH. =15miles Loop
June 19th, 2015 - June 21st, 2015
2300ft EG
Attendance: Adults - Greg Whistler, Mitch Turner, and Myself. BS - Sage, Alex, Ethan and Aaron W.

Directions to Trail Head: (approx. 2 hour drive)

• Head East on I84 for about 47 miles.
• Take exit 64 for Mt Hood Hwy 35, Turn left and go across the River. (Toll Bridge)
• Turn Left onto Hwy 14 West for 1.5miles
•  Right on to WA 141 North for 2.2 miles, follow to the left and continue for 19miles.
•  Right on to Mt Adams Rd (Signs for Sno-Parks/Recreation Area) for 1.3 miles
•  Slight left onto Buck Creek Rd/ NF 23 for about  16.5miles
• The TH is located about 4 miles past the PCT Trailhead, you will pass over a concrete bridge over a creek, about another half mile you should be at the trailhead. Just past Mile Marker 38. 

Well, we got off to a late start so our departure time that was originally scheduled for 2pm turned into 4pm. It did give us more time to prepare and take care of last minute details, but unfortunately made things really challenging in set up. As we still had a 2hr drive time.

Day 1, just hitting the trail.

We started our hike off at the Riley Camp Trail #64 at about 6:30pm. We hiked the trail up towards the PCT until we got to Riley Horse Camp, about a 1/4 mile south of the PCT. climbing about 2100ft in about 4.25miles. as soon as we arrived in Riley Horse camp we were greeted with a large swarm of mosquitoes that kept their attack strong until night fall. We quickly set up camp, made our dinner, and crawled into bed, as the temps quickly dropped.

Mt Adams, Friday Night.

We enjoyed a  night of learning how to cook their One pot meals in small pots. Making Tortilla Pasta Soup, Tortellini Alfredo and Mac and Cheese. The mac n cheese was a fail, but the rest of it was great, and perfect for the cold temps. The only problem we ran into, was the two serving dishes were not nearly big enough for starving teenage boys. Lol. Note taken.

Saturday Morning came late, as many of us were quite tired, and got to bed late, because of the cold temps. It definitely dropped below freezing as our water jugs had ice in them. After a slow start of learning how to cook a full outdoor breakfast in pans, everyone getting to cook a share of the meal. We all enjoyed a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese inside a corn tortilla & a side of Hashbrowns w/ country gravy. YUM!

Beautiful views, from the PCT.

We hit the trail about 10:45am and it was a quick reminder of what our ascent felt like the night before, up to the PCT. But thankfully it was a short 1/4 mile. Due to our late start we didnt have time to go scouting for Crystal lake, but we enjoyed many other views that were spectacular. Including Mt Rainer, Mt Adams, Mt St Helens and Mt Hood over the next 4.5 miles down the PCT to Horseshoe Meadow.

Mt St Helens on the Left and Mt Rainer on the Right.

Mt St Helens

Mt Rainer

Horseshoe meadow was our next water stop, and a beautiful sight to see. This is also the first time we saw any other people on the trail. I can imagine many a camper staying in this location on the south side of Mt Adams.

We reconnected to the PCT heading west towards our next campsite for Saturday evening. We ran into a few people along the trail all of which were practically begging for water, as they said they havent seen any on the trail at all. This showed great concern to us, as we had planned our next water stop about 3miles down the trail, and if we didnt have that option our next option was another mile past that which is where we were planning on setting up camp for the night on the Riley South Trail #64a. At lunch we made a few back up plans due to this new water concern. But after lunch we hiked about another mile down the trail and found water right where we were expecting it on the White Salmon River. We found a beautiful camp site just off the PCT, a very short ways from a sign that said "Water" with a little trail that took us to what looked like an under ground spring, with a bucket to reach down and grab water. Talk about easy. It was quite a luxury to what we were expecting from the previous reports. Our guess is that these travelers up the trail must have been enduring some serious elevation gain and were only focusing on one foot in front of the other, that each group were to miss the "Water" sign, that was clearly marked from the trail.

Look! a sign that says WATER. Lol.

We had camp set up a little bit early at 4pm, as we didnt want to risk not having water at the creek location we were planning on setting up at a mile down the trail. Half of our party was pretty tired, as they are new hikers, and this was a big jump into backpacking and they completed 7.25 miles with 25lb packs on.

Lunch Nap

Saturday evening brought new adventures in learning how to cook Freezer bag meals (FBC), instead of cooking in pots/pans. A cooking style of boiling water, and putting the boiling water in prepared bags, and placing bags in cozies to continue their cooking process. We had the pleasure of enjoying Beefy Noodle bowls both Gluten Free and a regular version w/ Ramen Noodles. A Teriyaki Beef & Noodle dish, and a creamy Turkey Chipotle dish. All of which were fantastic. I think I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

We all enjoyed some down time lounging in our hammocks, and going over the Leave no Trace principles before night fall. Because we are scouts, and this is more than just a hiking trip, there are many principles to be taught including the trail right aways, and many other lessons that we hope these boys will take with them on their own, teaching their other friends how to enjoy a peaceful safe life on the trail.

My idea of chilin in my hammock.

My sons idea of chilin in the hammock.

Sunday was a quick warm breakfast of Hot Cereal, and back on the trail by 9:45am (we really gotta work on an earlier start lol.) But thankfully we had a short hike back to the trailhead, continuing down the PCT for another mile, than connecting with the Riley South Trail #64a back to Riley Camp Trail #64 totaling almost 5miles.

Day 3, hitting the trail.

We arrived at the trailhead happy, tired, blistered, sun burned, and bug eaten, but very happy campers. Overall I would call this trip a success with much learned. Stay tuned for our next trip.