Mount Adams Fire Tower

7/18/2020–

Around 8AM, I arrived to the Mount Adams Fire Tower trailhead and was shocked to see how busy it was.

The lot was completely full so I parked along the road. 98, maybe even 99% of the people parked in the lot were climbing Allen Mountain. Allen is a 46er requiring a 20 mile hike... on this 80+ degree and 80% humidity day.

In the past, Allen, the Sewards, and the Santanonis— despite their 46er status– have usually been quiet peaks, even on holiday weekends (which it wasn't).

I headed into the woods with my hiking buff around my neck. I would meet only one other person wearing one. Outdoor transmission is supposedly low, but it feels like more of a "respect thing" on the narrow trails.

My pace was strong and I ended up catching up to a group hiking Allen Mountain at the Hudson River suspension bridge. The bridge was a little wonky, probably a result of the Halloween storm, but it still got the job done. After following this group for a bit (because they wouldn't move over to allow me to pass on the narrow trail), I announced I was passing. I started moving around each group member in their decent sized group. This was awkward with the spacing because they still did not really stop or move over.

Their tiny black dog started following after me which was kind of cute... but I mostly felt sorry for the dog. It had short legs and there were heat advisories all weekend. It seems dangerous to bring that dog on a summer hike up Allen Mountain.

After that passing, I trail ran for a bit because I found the group kind of annoying. I soon found myself at Lake Jimmy and the old caretaker cabin. Not long after, I took the spur trail to the left and began the climb to Mount Adams.

This trail provided solitude. It was just me and the deer flies as I hiked on.

Mount Adams lived up to its reputation as being steep but I found the climb enjoyable. I didn't see anyone else until just below the summit when I met two men descending. We talked about how hot it was and I joked that I was glad I wasn't climbing Allen.

There were rock scrambles, some wet from the previous day's rain. I even noticed a bit of red slime like what is on Allen's slide from the iron deposits. I was dripping sweat by this point. At 5 miles overall, Mount Adams is a pretty short hike but the elevation gain (~1800 feet in  the ~1.5 mile spur trail) is similar to that of a high peak hike.

At the summit, I met another woman who I talked with for about an hour as we took in the view. She was really cool and wished me a nice life forever and ever. :)

The view payoff on this hike is amazing. The 360 degree views would make an amazing sunrise or sunset hike as well.

After taking in the views, chatting, and eating some dried pear, I eventually headed back down the trail. I met a few more people on the way down, but it was still fairly quiet.

I spent more time at Lake Jimmy on the hike out. I sat on the shore and admired the flowering lilypads, dragonflies, and serenity of the lake. I also stopped into the caretaker cabin again, where I met a surprised mouse who ran away. I read the letter on the wall, an email from one of the old caretakers. He described how he used to be able to run from the parking lot to the summit in 45 minutes... impressive! He even mentioned how one day, in his trail running day dreams, he almost ran right into a bear on the trail!

I also spent more time at the Hudson, where I even convinced myself to take my shoes off and stuck my legs in the river for about 15 minutes as I hung out.

This was my first real solo hike in ~4 years and it was amazing! I really appreciated the solitude, listening to the birds, pacing myself, and stopping wherever I deemed interesting. It was a fun day!

Mileage: 5.34 miles

Gain: 1,842 feet

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