Basic Backpack - Mount Adams Highline—Devils Garden

Update on August 29: This trip was cancelled because of a wildfire that caused the closure of the entire Mt. Adams Recreation Area.

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The goals of this trip are to explore the Mt. Adams Wilderness and visit a locally renowned area of volcanic rocks called the Devil's Garden. We will camp just below treeline and day hike into the treeless alpine zone where we'll follow the Highline Trail all the way to the border of the Yakima Reservation. This is trip #17 in Backpacking Washington, trip #25 in 100 Classic Hikes in Washington, and one of South Cascades Region trips for the Gold Backpack. Here is the WTA description.

The route has some water crossings that can be impassable during periods of high snowmelt, therefore we are going in early September after the summer snowmelt is over but before autumn weather makes alpine travel less predictable.

Daily Itinerary

• Day 1: Starting from the Muddy Meadows Trailhead, we'll follow the Muddy Meadows Trail (#13) southeast about 4.75 miles to the intersection with the Highline Trail (#114).  Then we'll follow the Highline Trail east for another 0.85 miles to the Foggy Flat.  We will likely share this large communal backcountry camping area with others, including perhaps some PCT Thru Hikers. (5.6 miles, 1600' gain)
• Day 2: From Foggy Flat we'll continue to follow the Highline Trail about 3 miles and 1800' into the alpine zone to Devil's Garden and the boundary of the Yakima Reservation.  Weather permitting we will linger in the high country to have lunch and explore before returning to camp. (6 miles RT, 1900' gain RT)
• Day 3: We'll retrace our steps from Foggy Flat back to the trailhead. (5.6 miles, 1600' loss)

Special Considerations

• This trip is in the southern Cascades about 35 miles east of Mt. St. Helens. For people in the Puget Sound area, the drive to the trailhead could take 3 - 4 hours or more depending on where you are starting from. You will probably want to drive down the evening before. If there is interest, the leader will arrange car camping near the trailhead. Lodging is available in Packwood or Randal, the two nearest towns.
• The trip includes water crossings (which will hopefully be easy). Please bring water shoes and poles.
• Our elevation will range from 4400' to 7800'.  People sensitive to altitude may not feel as strong as usual.

Muddy Meadows Trailhead at 11:00am.  The meeting time may be adjusted to accommodate the travel plans of the group.