Tag Archives: Mount Adams Wilderness

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 5, 2020 PCT Between 2242 and 2256

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It has been hot and dry and so I made the decision last night to not put the rain fly on my tent. It was nice to be able to look up from the tent and see the trees and the sky. However, everything in the morning as slightly and annoyingly moist. I had not noticed any moisture the last two nights on the rain fly and so I thought it would be ok. I’m dry inside my sleeping bag and my hiking cloths are also dry because I put them inside the bag with me to keep them warm for the morning. So it could have been worse. I get packed up and start walking towards the trail. After what I think is too long of a walk I start to wonder if I walked the right way because I have not found the trail. It is dark and I’m walking with a headlamp. I return to the tent site and get my bearings and decide I was indeed going in the correct direction for the trial. I can tell the land is sloping down towards a lake. I head out again with a little more trust and eventually reach the trail and start the day. Get to a stream about 7am for some nice clear cold water and breakfast

They like you to register while in the wilderness so they know you are there if something happens. Oh…. Like a fire I’m guessing. Registration not possible however as this location needs a little repair

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. They want you to register but this site is a bit broken and has no forms
  • PCT 2256 to 2242.

People do like to report milestones along the trail. Mostly they are done with rocks showing the mileage. This was done with tree moss. I thought very clever. Showing south bounders they have traveled 400 miles at this point.

PCT 2256 to 2242. Tree moss used to let South bounders know they have traveled 400 miles

As I travel on I am on the edge of a lava field with huge rocks. Eventually come to a spot called Lava Spring because a beautiful little stream emerges out of the lava mountain at this point. It has nice places to camp and the beautiful stream. I stop here to have a meal and talk to a PCT thru hiker that comes in from the south. He is traveling with a 72 year old named Bo Jangles and he wants me to tell him about the Knifes Edge. Apparently Bo Jangles is worried about the snow fields. Bo is about a mile behind and I meet him as I start the climb from the stream. I tell Bo my opinion about the Knifes Edge. The snow fields will not be a problem. Just be careful when going down hill. Bo looked pretty good for having done more than 2200 miles of the PCT at the age of 72!!

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Lava Spring is a wonderful spot
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Lava stream. Water flowing out of lava mountain

It is a pretty good climb to get from Lava Spring to Killian Creek. Not intense but consistent and long. But Killian Spring was a nice place to end up at the top. I had more to eat here and washed my shirt. Lots of locals coming through. I also get what I believe will be last look at Mount Rainier.

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams from Killean Creek
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams getting closer
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. A last look at Mount Rainier

An hour later Mount Adams seems to be getting really close

PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams. Ice and Glacier

About 30 minutes later there are two rivers I need to cross by wading through them. Some people could get across Adams Creek on a thin log. I knew I would just fall in so might as well have some control. Then comes Lewis River where there are two separate tributaries coming together into one. Need to cross both. Again really the best option was to just wade across. I decided to stop for the day and set up camp after crossing the Lewis River. Nice single camp site and plenty of time to dry things off.

  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Adams Creek
  • PCT 2256 to 2242.
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams from Lewis River
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Mount Adams from Lewis Riveer
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Tent site by Lewis River
  • PCT 2256 to 2242. Tent site by Lewis River with Mount Adams Glacier through the trees

Notice both rivers are muddy and silty. Pretty common for glacier flow. Some locals crossed Adam Creek at the same time as me and asked where they could get water. Told them are Killian Stream. A beautiful place to stop for the night. Getting real close to Trout Lake (13 miles) which is where I will get picked up AGAIN. I have not been near as fast as I thought I would be and I’m going to need to resupply on food. My left shoulder and right hip are starting to feel better but some rest won’t hurt.

Hiking, PCT2020

Sep 4, 2020 PCT Between 2256 and 2270

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Normal night. Wake up usual time and pack and have my breakfast. I really look forward to the morning routine because it is such a good start. In the dark with a headlamp sorting out the treats and food for the day and having my double carnation instant breakfast meal. The water is usually cold because the nights are generally cold and it gives me the energy and hydration needed for a good start to the day. That being said, I am really still laid over from the Knifes Edge and apparently not in a great mood as I only found the opportunity to take 3 pictures today. However, it was truly a walk in the forest and it is perhaps little sections like this that make PCT’ers call Washington and Oregon the green tunnel. All you see are trees.

Below is an early morning shot of Mount Adams. Notice the smoke in the air. Seems to be a constant in Washington. This would clear up later in the day.

PCT 2270 to 2256. Mount Adams

Two hours later I am told I am still on the PCT. It really is always nice to see these signs.

PCT 2270 to 2256. Still on course

4 hours later I start seeing these bushes everywhere. I really want to eat the fruit but don’t. Find out later it is not toxic exactly but it apparently tastes bad and can upset the stomach. All sorts of critters love this plant as the berries stay on the plant well into winter.

PCT 2270 to 2256. Sitka mountain-ash

All along the walk I am passing by ponds but all the ponds are stagnant and would only be used for water in desperation. I have picked a spot to stop which is by a lake but when I get there it is full of local hikers. I am in the forest in mainly level ground and so within a tenth of a mile I notice a level cleared piece of ground and decide to use it as my camp spot. It is off the trail by a 100 feet or so. I have enough water for the night but not enough for breakfast but not far ahead of me is a good water source according to Guthook comments. I can hike a couple miles in the morning and get some good clear running water rather than lake water. Does not seem like much of a day but I did get 14 miles in which is not terrible considering all the times I stopped to rest one body part or another.