SFR Mt. Adams Get Away Trip (no fishing)

Well, no fishing this time. Next year I'll be ready.

Just back from 3-nights of off-grid glamping near Mt Adams. We're definitely going back, but next time a month or so later as most of the areas above 2500' were snowed-in and/or closed. This was the first time to the area for both of us and we weren't disappointed.



The trip started with a drive up the CR Gorge. I was the passenger the whole trip, since I apparently enjoy driving my wife's Mazda 6 a little too much for her motion sickness. Just as well since that gave me the chance to enjoy the scenery and take pics. Got a couple decent car window shots before our first stop...





First stop was the cheerful sounding Starvation Creek Trailhead before lunch in Hood River. We've talked about checking it out for years but, HOLY CRAP, was it worth it. There's a jaw-dropping waterfall a few hundred yards from the parking lot.







Lunch in Hood River was Grasslands BBQ truck on the waterfront with pork belly burnt ends that should be classified as a controlled substance (no joke). Perfect break before crossing the toll bridge, up to Trout Lake, and on to the sprawling metropolis of Glenwood..

Quick stop on the White Salmon at BZ kayak launch for a short hike up to the falls:





Next stop was an unmarked viewpoint on the road from Trout Lake (dumb name, there's no lake).



After settling in at the "glampground", we went on an exploratory (poorly planned) drive on the East side of Adams looking for a closer view of the mountain, and maybe find some morels. Failed on both counts, even though we went full BFE hitting road end at the Yakama Nation border. Thankfully the car didn't break down or we might still be up there.

Edit: Driving up this road in a 2WD vehicle, without extra food, water, wood cutting tools, and other basic survival stuff is a bad idea. At the very least, we should have let the campground staff know where we were going and that we were planning to be back before dark. This was about as remote as one can get this time of year in normal road car. I briefly considered telling my wife "BFE" really stands for Big Foot Environment, and a few other bigfoot jokes, but decided I'd like another anniversary next year.

Day 2: Buck Creek Trail, and Conboy Nat'l Wildlife Refuge...

 

[SilverFly]

A couple notes on this trip. My wife set this up as an outdoor escape/decompression trip mostly for my sake, but was surprised at how much she enjoyed it herself... possibly more than I did. This was the first time we have been off-grid for multiple days. Not a big deal for me, but she is literally the nerve center of the family and is constantly getting texts, calls, notifications. I was concerned she would be worried, but seeing the weight come off her shoulders was awesome. The place we stayed was designed for exactly that reason. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to cut the digital cord for a while.

 

[Burt Dagger]

Trout Lake (dumb name, there's no lake).

Lol. Spent some time in Trout Lake during the americorps trail crew stint that first brought me to the PNW back in the day. I had the same thought. I think Trout Creek (which is indeed real, flows thru town, and has some trout) kinda swamps up the valley upstream of town during peak snowmelt, leading to a brief annually recurring appearance of Trout “Lake.” A bit of false advertising!

The town itself is super cool though. Many good memories there. I need to get back there soon with the fam. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

 

[SilverFly]

Day Two: Buck Creek Trail and Conboy Lake Nat'l Wildlife Refuge.

A visit to the Ranger Station at Trout Lake shot down any idea of hitting "Large Waterfowl Lake" to wet a line, or hike most trails above 2500'. They did suggest Buck Creek Trail near Mt. Adams horse camp which was open. Still some patches of snow but no problem driving in other than lots of potholes and various forest products on the road. We went as far as the bridge which was about 3/4 of a mile in, and looks to need some winter fall repairs.



Conboy Lake Refuge was pleasant 2-ish mile hike in/out. Although we turned around short of the seemingly alleged observation platform.



Not sure what lives in this pond surrounded by aspens(?), but was worth a snapshot.



I did spot a lone Sandhill Crane which was a first for me. Love the camera on my cell, but it's limitations were becoming apparent by this point.



Most of the hike was through Ponderosa forest.



Found this feather, took a pic, and left in place in case it was ill-eagle to keep.



Stopped at this old homestead not far from the parking lot. This place was inhabited as recently as the 1950's.



Almost to the car when this Mountain (?) Bluebird posed on a rock just outside quality pic range. Another first for me.



Day 3: Weldon Wagon Road Trail.

 

[Wade Rivers]

Hey thanks for the great report. I love sandies...we get quite a few here near Bend on the Cascade Lakes.

 

[SilverFly]

Day three: Weldon Wagon Road Trail.

Day 3 started with this view.



Bird life on the way to Weldon Wagon Road Trail. California Quail in the campground, and a wild turkey that wouldn't wait for me to get my phone out.


Spot the turkey...


Weldon Wagon Road Trail was worth the drive, just outside Husum on the White Salmon. Unfortunately, we were unprepared with the weather much hotter than we expected, and poison oak was everywhere. Even sprouting in the trail itself. The trail is also notorious for ticks. But we used repellent and didn't pick any up.

Anyway, we made it a mile or so in before we turning around. According to other hikers we missed some wild flower meadows another half-mile or so in ("up", really). Even so, the views were incredible.




On the drive out through mixed Doug Fir/Ponderosa forest, I suffered an epic photo-op fail when I spotted a patch of flame red on the ground maybe 50' off the road. That turned out to be a Pileated Woodpecker. I have seen one before, but never that close. By the time I had my camera app on, it was flying off with it's distinctive call echoing through the woods.

Lots to contemplate on our last night.

 

[SilverFly]

Day 4: Falls Creek Trail and drive home.

One goal of the trip was to do some sketching. I took watercolor and drawing stuff on all the hikes, but didn't want to stop in any one spot that long. My wife read quite a bit though, which gave me a chance to do this watercolor/pen study of the pines outside our camper window.



This little guy gave me a farewell pose before breaking camp.



Heading West and a final shot of Adams across Conboy Lake.



Our final, and best hike was Falls Creek in the Wind River drainage. Clearly back on the West side of the Cascades.




Not a bad hike to the Lower Falls bridge but about all we were good for by this point.



Safe to say no anadromous passage here




Some great looking fish habitat on the hike out.