Friends of Mt Adams Hike Day - July 11, 2015

[drm]

MT. ADAMS HIKING DAY
Saturday, July 11, 2015

Sponsored by the Friends of Mount Adams

Featuring: Three beautiful all-day hikes on Mt. Adams: two on the southeast side and one on the southwest side, ranging from “moderate” to “strenuous”, led by 6 knowledgeable FOMA board members. Plenty of time for wildflower viewing/identification, photography, interpretation of the natural and cultural environment, climate warming impacts, stories of the colorful history, and getting to know new friends. Only 12 persons max. per group, including leaders. These hikes are going to fill fast.

Hike Descriptions:

1. Bird Creek Meadows Loop (Moderate: about 6 mi. r.t., less than 1000 feet elevation gain/loss, all on trails within the Yakama Nation Mt. Adams Recreation Area. Starting at Bird Lake (el. 5,585 ft.) on the mountain’s SE side, hike the Crooked Creek Falls Trail, Trail #9 through the famous meadows (av. elev. 6,140 ft) ; take a small loop up to Hellroaring Ridge for spectacular views (about 6440 ft.); then back to the B.C. Meadows picnic area, returning to Bird Lake via the Bluff Lake Trail. Highlights: flower-lined streams and subalpine meadows, waterfalls and lakes; variety of birds; views of Mazama Glacier, Hellroaring valley, Glenwood Valley and Columbia Hills in the distance. Leaders: Jurgen Hess, ([email protected] , 541-645-0720, assisted by Bill Weiler.

2. Horseshoe Meadow (Moderately strenuous: about 8 mi. r.t., 1,800 ft. elevation gain/loss on the mountain’s SW side, all on trails within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Hike the Stagman Ridge Trail (t/h 4,193 ft.) entering the Mt. Adams Wilderness and gradually ascending through a partially burned forest with wildflowers, meadows, and a few small streams. Join the Pacific Crest Trail at 5,800 ft., and continue into lovely Horseshoe Meadows (5,920 ft.). Optional short off-trail loop above the meadows. Highlights: recovering vegetation from the 2012 Cascade Creek Burn, wonderful views of the valleys, Mt. Hood, Indian Heaven, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams’ rugged SW face; wildflowers, meadows, streams, and birds. Leaders: Darvel Lloyd ([email protected]) , 503-251-2784, assisted by Cheryl Mack.

3. Ridge of Wonders Loop (Strenuous, mostly off-trail: about 8 mi. r.t., 2,100 ft. elevation gain/loss, in Yakama Nation Mt. Adams Recreation Area. Start at Bench Lake (4,920 ft.), drop to 4,760 ft., and take an old trail to Island Spring Camp at 5,320 ft. Then ascend off-trail to a spectacular viewpoint on the Ridge of Wonders (6,830 ft.). Descend to a saddle, then optional climb of Little Mt. Adams cinder-spatter cone (6,800 ft., 360 ft. vertical). Return by way of Hellroaring Meadow and Heart Lake. Probable wading of marshy area on return. Highlights: east-side vegetation, views of Klickitat Glacier cirque and Big Muddy canyon, possible mountain goats. Leaders: Darryl Lloyd ([email protected] , 541-387-2217), assisted by Dean Myerson.

[Peder]

That third hike looks absolutely delightful! I think that Karl hiked with Darryl last year at the similar event and was overjoyed. So if you have the possibility, sign up and have a wonderful day!

[kepPNW]

How should one indicate interest in one of these, Dean? Email the leader? Thanks!

[drm]

Yes, email the leader directly. And since Friends of Mt Adams is taking a sign-up sheet to some public events and conferences (and we are doing 3 hikes instead of the 5 we did last year), I expect they will fill well before the hike date.

[kepPNW]

That third hike looks absolutely delightful! I think that Karl hiked with Darryl last year at the similar event and was overjoyed. So if you have the possibility, sign up and have a wonderful day!

It was a wonderful introduction to an area I'd never been before, yep! And Darryl must be one of THE most knowledgeable folks out there on this mountain. I'm not normally a group hiker, but that was a really fun day.

Yes, email the leader directly. And since Friends of Mt Adams is taking a sign-up sheet to some public events and conferences (and we are doing 3 hikes instead of the 5 we did last year), I expect they will fill well before the hike date.

Thanks, Dean.

[drm]

Hike #3 is now full (though we keep a waiting list and there usually are some cancellations).

[drm]

Note that due to the Horseshoe Fire, the Stagman Ridge hike to Horseshoe Meadow has been canceled. Since a large section of the mountain is now closed and is likely to be for some time, there is no replacement hike. All reserved hikers should have been notified by email. Other hikes at Bird Creek Meadows and on the east side of the mountain are going on as scheduled.