Bobby
Active member
Four times now, Mt. Adams has eluded me. In 1990, fog and rain stopped me at Thunderstorm Junction. In October of 2006, Sapblatt and I were at the Lowes/Spur junction when wind and time sent us back to Crag Camp. The following day, high winds prevented us from going above tree line. In August, failing light, wind and fog stopped me again at Thunderstorm Junction. This has been the most frustrating peak for me to get to.
Forecasts showed a pretty good day from Monday. I looked at maps and trail guides, and decided that if it wasn’t raining, I would go up the Airline. My fallback plan was the Valley Way, and then evaluate at Madison Hut.
I was loading my car at about 3:30 AM and it began to rain. This was not the start I was looking for. I drove up 93 in the dark, alone with my thoughts. It’s funny what goes through your mind when you make the long ride north by yourself. I thought of Ray, who passed away recently. As with so many of trips to the mountains, I also thought of my dad. He and I never really hiked in the Northern Presi’s, but I did bring his picture with me so he could be there. Before I knew it, I was at the trailhead.
The temperature was about 60 degrees; I began the hike in shorts and a t-shirt. It was humid, and I quickly broke a sweat. The trail was wet, and there was some mud. Wet rocks and roots were the conditions of the day. The going was fairly easy for the first 2.4 miles, right up to the water sign. After that, things got steep. This section of the trail should be renamed “Hell’s Half Mile.” The trail eased up a bit after the Scar Trail junction, and at one point the fog lifted long enough for me to see across King Ravine to Crag Camp, but before I could get my camera out, the fog settled back in.
Going along in the trees, with no views, I guess I did a sort of self-inventory. What’s good, what’s bad? What’s right, what’s wrong? You don’t really get to think like that on a group hike. You know what? To quote Jake, “Life is good.”
There are ups and downs, but like a wave, just ride it and you’ll eventually get to flat water.
At tree line, the wind picked up. I layered up, and put on some gloves. The wind was blowing about 25 mph, gusting to about 40 mph. Onward and upward, hoping for views into King Ravine that never came. Soon enough, I was at the Gulfside Junction and decided to continue on the Airline. I have heard that the .6 miles to the summit of Adams was difficult, and I wanted to hike it so I could complain about it later. The wind was blowing hard as I reached the summit. I stayed there long enough to take a few pictures, then headed down Lowe’s Path to T-Storm.
The ground was wet, and I took a few spills on the wet rocks. It was nice to get to Thunderstorm Junction after a reaching the summit, having been turned back there in the past. The Gulfside Trail is so nice. The well-placed rocks made for a nice foot way. It would be nice if all of the above tree line trails were like this.
I heard voices behind me at one point, but couldn’t see anyone. I figured that they were coming from the Lowe’s Path/Spur Trail area. At the Airline/Gulfside Junction I met a couple going up Adams. We spoke for a bit then went on our way.
The descent went well. I had to be careful on the steep sections, the trail was very wet and I didn’t want to fall. Despite the caution, I did fall a few times, fortunately without injury. It was a long time coming, but finally, Mt. Adams was mine.
Pictures from Mt. Adams
Forecasts showed a pretty good day from Monday. I looked at maps and trail guides, and decided that if it wasn’t raining, I would go up the Airline. My fallback plan was the Valley Way, and then evaluate at Madison Hut.
I was loading my car at about 3:30 AM and it began to rain. This was not the start I was looking for. I drove up 93 in the dark, alone with my thoughts. It’s funny what goes through your mind when you make the long ride north by yourself. I thought of Ray, who passed away recently. As with so many of trips to the mountains, I also thought of my dad. He and I never really hiked in the Northern Presi’s, but I did bring his picture with me so he could be there. Before I knew it, I was at the trailhead.
The temperature was about 60 degrees; I began the hike in shorts and a t-shirt. It was humid, and I quickly broke a sweat. The trail was wet, and there was some mud. Wet rocks and roots were the conditions of the day. The going was fairly easy for the first 2.4 miles, right up to the water sign. After that, things got steep. This section of the trail should be renamed “Hell’s Half Mile.” The trail eased up a bit after the Scar Trail junction, and at one point the fog lifted long enough for me to see across King Ravine to Crag Camp, but before I could get my camera out, the fog settled back in.
Going along in the trees, with no views, I guess I did a sort of self-inventory. What’s good, what’s bad? What’s right, what’s wrong? You don’t really get to think like that on a group hike. You know what? To quote Jake, “Life is good.”
There are ups and downs, but like a wave, just ride it and you’ll eventually get to flat water.At tree line, the wind picked up. I layered up, and put on some gloves. The wind was blowing about 25 mph, gusting to about 40 mph. Onward and upward, hoping for views into King Ravine that never came. Soon enough, I was at the Gulfside Junction and decided to continue on the Airline. I have heard that the .6 miles to the summit of Adams was difficult, and I wanted to hike it so I could complain about it later. The wind was blowing hard as I reached the summit. I stayed there long enough to take a few pictures, then headed down Lowe’s Path to T-Storm.
The ground was wet, and I took a few spills on the wet rocks. It was nice to get to Thunderstorm Junction after a reaching the summit, having been turned back there in the past. The Gulfside Trail is so nice. The well-placed rocks made for a nice foot way. It would be nice if all of the above tree line trails were like this.
I heard voices behind me at one point, but couldn’t see anyone. I figured that they were coming from the Lowe’s Path/Spur Trail area. At the Airline/Gulfside Junction I met a couple going up Adams. We spoke for a bit then went on our way.
The descent went well. I had to be careful on the steep sections, the trail was very wet and I didn’t want to fall. Despite the caution, I did fall a few times, fortunately without injury. It was a long time coming, but finally, Mt. Adams was mine.
Pictures from Mt. Adams
