Mount Adams Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Adams Recreation Area |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
|
|
 |
|
 Mount Adams Recreation Area
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Yakima County, Washington, USA |
| Nearest city | Glenwood, Washington |
| Area | 47,708 acres (19,307 ha) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Governing body | Yakama Indian Nation |
| Yakima Nation Mount Adams Recreation Area | |
The Mount Adams Recreation Area is a special place in Washington state. It covers about 21,000-acre (8,500 ha) of land. The Yakama Nation Tribal Forestry Program takes care of this area.
This recreation area is on the east side of Mount Adams. Mount Adams is a huge mountain, standing 12,276 feet (3,742 m) tall. It is one of the main mountains in the Cascade Range. The area has rugged canyons and beautiful landscapes. It also includes the popular Bird Creek Meadows.
Contents
Fun Things to Do at Mount Adams
The Mount Adams Recreation Area is a great spot for outdoor adventures. You can go hiking, camping, or fishing here. It's also perfect for picnicking with friends and family.
Explore Bird Creek Meadows
Bird Creek Meadows is a very popular part of the recreation area. It's known for its amazing wildflowers. You can see many different colors of flowers here. The meadows also offer fantastic views of Mount Adams and its glaciers. On a clear day, you might even see Mount Hood to the south!
Hiking Trails and Views
At Bird Creek Meadows, you can hike to the Hellroaring Overlook. From here, you can look down into Hellroaring Meadows, a glacial valley about 1,000 feet (300 m) below. You can also gaze up at Mount Adams, the Klickitat Glacier, and waterfalls. These waterfalls tumble down from high cliffs below the glacier.
There are many loop trails at Bird Creek Meadows. One popular trail is the Trail of the Flowers. These trails take you through meadows, past streams, and by waterfalls like Crooked Creek Falls.
Important Note for Visitors
Bird Creek Meadows was closed in 2015 because of a large fire. It was still closed in the summer of 2018. Always check if it's open before you plan your visit.
Hiking Little Mount Adams
Little Mount Adams is a smaller peak that stands 6,821 ft (2,079 m) tall. It's a cone-shaped hill on top of the Ridge of Wonders. You can find it at the northeast end of Hellroaring Meadow. There is a trail to the east base of this peak. To reach the very top, you might need to walk over rocky areas.
The Around the Mountain–Highline Circuit
For experienced hikers, there's a challenging route that goes almost all the way around Mount Adams. It combines the Round the Mountain Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Highline Trail. There's a small section called "The Gap" on the east side of the mountain that doesn't have a trail.
The Round the Mountain Trail starts on the southwest side of the mountain. It crosses a lava bed and then enters the Yakama Nation Mount Adams Recreation Area. It goes through Bird Creek Meadows and ends at Hellroaring Canyon.
If you're an experienced adventurer, you can continue the circuit. This involves following a poorly marked trail to Sunrise Camp. This camp is high up, at 8,000 feet, between two glaciers. North of Sunrise Camp, there are no trails at all. This part is only for very experienced hikers. You might need to cross dangerous creeks, deep canyons, and even a glacier. Eventually, you rejoin the Highline Trail.
Camping Adventures
There are three campgrounds in the Mount Adams Recreation Area. You can find them at Bird Lake, Mirror Lake, and Bench Lake.
To get to these campgrounds, you usually drive from Trout Lake. The roads leading to the campgrounds are gravel and dirt. They can be very rough, so a truck or a car with high ground clearance is often best.
Climbing Mount Adams' East Side
Many people try to climb to the top of Mount Adams each year. However, fewer people try to climb the rugged east side, which is part of this recreation area. This side of the mountain has glaciers, deep cracks (crevasses), and jagged cliffs.
If you plan to climb here, you will need special gear. This includes crampons (spikes for your boots), ice axes, and ropes. Climbing Mount Adams can be very challenging and requires skill and caution.
