Mount Adams Wilderness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Adams Wilderness |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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 Mount Adams Wilderness
Location in the United States
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| Location | Yakima / Skamania counties, Washington, USA |
| Nearest city | Trout Lake, WA |
| Area | 47,708 acres (19,307 ha) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Governing body | United States Forest Service |
| Mount Adams Wilderness | |
The Mount Adams Wilderness is a huge natural area in Washington state, USA. It covers about 47,708 acres. This special place is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is managed by the United States Forest Service.
This wilderness is a mix of different environments. The weather changes a lot from the dry east side to the wet west side of the mountain. Mount Adams is a very tall mountain, standing at 12,276 feet (3,742 meters). It is one of the main mountains in the Cascade Range. The wilderness area is mostly on the west side of Mount Adams. It is part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The east side of the mountain belongs to the Yakama Nation. A small part on the southeast side is called the Mount Adams Recreation Area. This area includes beautiful Bird Creek Meadows.
Fun Activities in Mount Adams Wilderness
You can do many fun things in the Mount Adams Wilderness. Popular activities include hiking, backpacking, and mountain climbing. You can also go horseback riding. If you plan to go above 7,000 feet (2,134 meters), you need a special Volcano Pass. You can get this pass from the U.S. Forest Service.
Some parts of the mountain are on the Yakama Nation land. Some of these areas are open for everyone to enjoy. Other parts are only for members of the Yakama tribe. About 21 miles (34 kilometers) of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail goes through the wilderness. This famous trail passes to the west and north of Mount Adams.
Climbing Mount Adams
Each year, many people try to reach the top of Mount Adams. If you want to climb, you might need special gear like crampons and ice axes. This is because of the glaciers and steep slopes. However, in the summer, you can climb the south side with just boots and ski poles. This route is called the South Climb Spur. It is part of the South Climb Trail #183.
Climbing can be dangerous because of loose rocks. These rocks can easily fall and hurt climbers below. People have been injured or even died while climbing Mount Adams. So, it is very important to be careful and prepared.
Hiking Trails and Views
The Mount Adams Wilderness has many great hiking trails. These trails go through different types of forests. You will see dry forests on the east side and moist forests on the west side. You can enjoy amazing views of Mount Adams and its glaciers. You will also see streams, open alpine forests, and fields of wildflowers. These flowers grow among lava flows and rocky cliffs.
Many trails connect to the "Round the Mountain" trail. On the south side, the Shorthorn Trail starts near Morrison Creek Campground. The South Climb Trail begins at Cold Springs Campground. It goes up the South Spur, which is a common way to reach the summit.
On the west side, there are three trails that go up the mountain. These are the Stagman Ridge Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Riley Creek Trail. On the north side, you will find the Divide Camp, Killen Creek, and Muddy Meadows trails. The Pacific Crest Trail also goes down the mountain here.
These trails usually climb between 1,500 feet (457 meters) and 3,000 feet (914 meters). They are typically 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 kilometers) long. Most trails are covered in snow from early winter until early summer. The Round the Mountain Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Highline Trail almost completely circle the mountain. There is a 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) section called "The Gap" on the east side. This part is in the Mount Adams Recreation Area. Other trails in the wilderness include the Lookingglass Lake Trail, High Camp Trail #10, Salt Creek Trail #75, Crofton Butte Trail #73, and the Riley Connector Trail #64A.
