Backpack Mount Adams

Mt. Adams is an ancient and beautiful volcano, where the scenic landscape features sweeping mountain views and charming alpine meadows. At 12,276ft, Mt. Adams is the second highest peak in the Pacific Northwest, and the most massive. You’ll be on the traditional lands of the Klickitat, Cowlitz, and Yakima Tribes who have many legends about the impressive Cascade Mountains that define the horizon.

You’ll get to hike along the famous Pacific Crest Trail where it passes near the base of the Adams Glacier. You will have views of Mt. Adams looming above you and get glimpses of some of the other great Cascade volcanoes to the north, west, and south. Listen for rocks and glacial ice tumbling off the peak in the distance. You may even hear the chirp of a pika (a contender for world’s cutest rodent) hiding in the rocks. Streams spring forth from glaciers on all sides of the mountain, feeding meadows bursting with colorful wildflowers and streams that become headwaters of both the Lewis and White Salmon rivers. As you explore this designated Wilderness area, keep an eye out for mountain goats and Peregrine falcons, and be sure to take time for the breathtaking sunsets.

The first day of your trip you’ll drive about 4 hours to the trailhead, and camp at a nearby campground. For five days you will backpack through lush forests, meadows, subalpine fields of ripe wild huckleberries, and camp beside sparkling alpine lakes and streams. You will be carrying a backpack that will weigh somewhere between 40 and 60 lbs., depending on your equipment and your physical condition. The trails are often steep as you climb up above tree line, and are rated moderate to difficult with elevations ranging from ~3,500 to 7,000 ft. On average, the group expects to hike about 4-7 miles per day carrying full backpacks, with options for additional day hikes, and a possible layover day in the middle of the trip. Not everyone in the group will want to hike at the same speed, so we’ll do what is best for the group when it comes to routes, campsites, and day hikes. On the last day of your trip, we’ll pack up and head back to Portland the evening before New Student Orientation begins.

We’ll work together to prepare meals, carry group equipment, and perform camp tasks. For sleeping accommodations, we provide your choice of single-person tents, shared tent space, or personal “bivy sacks,” which allow you to stay cozy and dry while sleeping out under the stars. We practice minimum impact camping techniques such as packing out all litter and food waste, not using soap directly in streams or lakes, and not camping on fragile meadows. We’ll go over these practices during the trip. August weather in the Pacific Northwest is usually beautiful, but in the mountains the weather can be sunny and 80° F at noon, then be snowing by 4 p.m. Nights are generally cool to cold in the mountains, and the temperature can sometimes drop below freezing at night. While August is one of the drier months in the Pacific Northwest, it’s possible to experience significant storms for several days, so participants should
bring good rain gear.

• No backpacking experience required! This trip is designed for beginners and perfect for any adventurous spirit who wants to explore, bond with a small-group of peers, and see some of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular trails.
• Prep for the pack: Borrow a backpack (any size), fill it with 4-gallon (1 gal. = 8.8 lbs) jugs and take a walk! It will feel heavy at first but don’t worry - it gets easier! You can learn how to fit your pack properly so that the weight is on your hips. You can start off with just a little extra weight, and gradually increase throughout the summer, up to 20% of your body weight.
• Break in your hiking boots: If you are getting new-to-you boots for this trip, you’ll want to wear them around in the weeks leading up to the trip. New boots + long treks = painful blisters. It is very important to break in your boots by wearing them with a pack for extended periods prior to your trip.
• Get moving: It’s a great idea to walk or run this summer to get yourself into shape. This trip is rated as high physical rigor. Start of slow but add more distance and weight to your practice backpack throughout the summer so that you can be comfortable hiking 4-6 miles for days on end, with a backpack that weighs approximately 20% of your total body weight.

We will be cooking on backcountry stoves, and we eat well in the backcountry! Some examples of typical meals include: curry, pizza, and mac & cheese. We’ll resupply water from streams and lakes and use filters and treatment to neutralize Giardia, bacteria, and viruses.

This trip can accommodate most dietary restrictions and allergies, as long as you let us know about them ahead of time. For vegan and other non-medical specialty diets, there is an additional meal charge. There is no extra cost for vegetarian diets or medical diet restrictions.