July 24

Distance: 27.9 miles | Ascent: 3970′ | Descent: 3500′

Mile marker: 411.8

Lunch: Jason – chicken teriyaki (A) |Alex – chicken chili (B+)

Dinner: Jason – spicy mac (B-) | Alex – Indian curry (A-)

We started the day by seeing Mount Adams wayyy off in the distance. We would end up hiking just beyond.

Much of the trail was pine covered – very cruisey. It soon became sandy as we got closer to Adams – still pretty cruisey. As we began the approach towards the mountain, we paralleled an old lava field with cinders defining the course of the trail.

We crossed a river on a V-shaped bridge before our big ascent for the day: a whopping 1600′ climb over 5 miles. Compared to what we did in the previous days and sections, this was relatively easy.

We found our way to some alpiney meadows at the base of the mountain. We had a great view of Mount Rainier off in the distance behind us. Crazy it’s been less than a week since we were at its base.

In the last stretch of the day, we crossed a silty river from the glacial melt water and wove through another lava flow cinder field. We set up camp at dusk and had great views of the sun setting through the trees and turning the mountains purple.

After a long day, we should get to the post office in time. The helpful folks in Trout Lake have a list of trail angels offering rides to and from the trailhead. When we finally got service on the western flank of Mount Adams, we got ahold of one gentleman who agreed to meet us at 1pm. Let’s hope we don’t get kidnapped!