The 12,276-foot high Mt. Adams is the second highest peak in the Northwest after Mt. Rainier. Mt. Adams Wilderness is bounded on the east by the Yakima Indian Reservation. The South Climb is considered a "non-technical" route, however, ice axes and crampons are recommended year-round.
South Climb Trail #183 begins at the end of Forest Road 8040500. The three-mile section of the road beyond Morrison Creek Campground is extremely rough and narrow. Please drive carefully!
Follow Trail #183 across the intersection with Round-the-Mountain Trail #9, then continue to just below Crescent Glacier. Bearing to the left of Crescent Glacier, continue your ascent around the top of the glacier, and toward a large flat area known as the "Lunch Counter" (approximately 9000 feet elevation). From Lunch Counter, climb due north up the steep snow field or the talus ridge just west of the snowfield to the false summit also known as Pikers Peak (11,700 feet elevation). Cross the intervening divide to the true summit, some 600 feet higher. Looking back occasionally on your way up from timberline to the summit helps minimize route confusion on your way down. Keys to the descent are re-crossing Pikers Peak and bearing southeast below the Crescent Glacier.
TIME: 6-8 hours up (ascending), 4-6 hour down (descending).
Many climbers begin their ascent one day, then spend the night at some elevation in order to adjust to the altitude, prior to beginning their ascent of the summit. Lunch Counter, the relatively flat area above Crescent Glacier is the most highly used camping area. Those seeking a more sheltered and less popular camp area may choose to camp below Crescent Glacier, in the Morrison Creek drainage.
Sources; NPS, Trails.com
Additional Research by Corie Marks
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Complete Trail Guide
Stu Marks
Editor-in-Chief, Adventure-Space.com
Travel Editor, Adventure-Zone
Field Producer - Team Two