Adams: Glacier Lake via Adams Glacier
Posted: October 16th, 2020, 10:02 pm
I spotted a neat looking lobe of Adams Glacier, with a pair of striking morains and a nice snout (although I later learned the snout was ordinary, it just looked special on the google image because of a dirty patch that looked like a nice big portal). I intended to ascend the canyon, or its left moraine, and then go visit Glacier Lake.
Hiked Divide Camp trail, which follows Adams Creek, to the PCT, and then continued up Adams Creek. I could see the creek, which had been winding through a broad outwash plain, was going to pass through a narrow pinch point. Beyond that, I entered a huge flat basin below Adams Glacier. Followed the creek until it went under ice.
With Adams Creek behind me, I turned my attention to the moraine to my left. I didn't even realize it was the southern moraine of my goal canyon. I wasn't even looking for it any more. Was having too much fun following the creek. But I should have known; the high end of this moraine had a little fish-hook spur, just like on my map/photos. I only noticed that later. I could see that little spur was the best way up, as it would give me great views of Adams Glacier. But once I got to the high end of the moraine, would I be able to safely descend it, or drop off the other side? If I started down, but failed at a knife-edge crest or a gendarme, I would have to ascend again and come down on my ascent route. I decided it was worth the risk.
The top did not disappoint. It was like Barrett Spur: ridge at my back, mountain face in front of me, a glacier below, wrapping around both sides. I dropped down to the glacier and headed over towards Glacier Lake. I wasn't able to see it from my high point, but memory and map gave me a pretty good idea where to look.
After visiting the lake, I considered revisiting the north ridge, but it looked like such a boring slog, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Poked around a bit, exploring high points around the lake, and then headed over to my original-goal canyon, to descend the other (north) moraine.
Weather: My first cold-weather hike of the season. I wasn't expecting that. Last week it was still camping weather. But once I was in the sun, it was really nice. That took a while though, since I was on the NW side of the mountain.
Other parties: I saw some old footprints on the PCT. And when I was at the trailhead, I heard a car drive past. That's all. Not even any goats.
Hiked Divide Camp trail, which follows Adams Creek, to the PCT, and then continued up Adams Creek. I could see the creek, which had been winding through a broad outwash plain, was going to pass through a narrow pinch point. Beyond that, I entered a huge flat basin below Adams Glacier. Followed the creek until it went under ice.
With Adams Creek behind me, I turned my attention to the moraine to my left. I didn't even realize it was the southern moraine of my goal canyon. I wasn't even looking for it any more. Was having too much fun following the creek. But I should have known; the high end of this moraine had a little fish-hook spur, just like on my map/photos. I only noticed that later. I could see that little spur was the best way up, as it would give me great views of Adams Glacier. But once I got to the high end of the moraine, would I be able to safely descend it, or drop off the other side? If I started down, but failed at a knife-edge crest or a gendarme, I would have to ascend again and come down on my ascent route. I decided it was worth the risk.
The top did not disappoint. It was like Barrett Spur: ridge at my back, mountain face in front of me, a glacier below, wrapping around both sides. I dropped down to the glacier and headed over towards Glacier Lake. I wasn't able to see it from my high point, but memory and map gave me a pretty good idea where to look.
After visiting the lake, I considered revisiting the north ridge, but it looked like such a boring slog, I couldn't bring myself to do it.
Poked around a bit, exploring high points around the lake, and then headed over to my original-goal canyon, to descend the other (north) moraine.
Weather: My first cold-weather hike of the season. I wasn't expecting that. Last week it was still camping weather. But once I was in the sun, it was really nice. That took a while though, since I was on the NW side of the mountain.
Other parties: I saw some old footprints on the PCT. And when I was at the trailhead, I heard a car drive past. That's all. Not even any goats.
