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- Mount Adams
12,281 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Mount Adams
Mount Adams is a 12,281 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the South Climb Trail: 12 mi, 6,748 ft of gain, Class 3.
Mount Adams at a glance
- Elevation12,281 ft3,743 m
- RouteSouth Climb TrailClass 3
- Distance12 mi6,748 ft gain
- Time1 – 2 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun – Jul
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the South Climb Trail
From Trout Lake, Washington, drive Forest Roads 23, 80, and 8040 (high clearance helpful) to the Cold Springs trailhead near 5,600 feet. The South Climb is a long Class 2 snow slog with over 6,700 feet of gain, often split over two days with camp at the Lunch Counter near 9,000 feet. There is no technical glacier travel on the standard line, but an ice axe and crampons are essential on the steep snow above. A Cascade Volcano Pass is required. Afternoons soften the snow, so start early and expect strong wind and altitude effects near the false summit.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (65–75 L)
Water
Water filter
First aid kit
Whistle
Offline maps- Paper map
- Compass
GPS device
Satellite communicator
Headlamp
Power bank
Emergency bivy
Mountaineering boots
Gaiters
Crampons
Ice axe
Helmet
Trekking poles
Base layer
Midlayer
Insulated jacket
Hardshell jacket
Hardshell pants
Warm hat
Midweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves
Buff
Sun hat
Glacier glasses
Goggles
Sunscreen
What to watch for
- Avalanches
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Icy summit conditions
- High altitude
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
- Remote location
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Steep exposure
- Altitude sickness
Mount Adams on Yak
Climbers have shared 11 climbs of Mount Adams on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount Adams
Cascade Volcanoes
Lower 48 UltrasFrequently asked questions
How tall is Mount Adams?
Mount Adams is 12,281 feet (3,743 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Mount Adams?
The South Climb Trail is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 12 miles with 6,748 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Mount Adams?
Most climbers plan 1 – 2 days for the South Climb Trail, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Mount Adams dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Mount Adams?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the South Climb Trail for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Mount Adams?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Adams reaches 12,281 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Mount Adams?
The usual climbing window is June to July. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mount Adams with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list