Getting Oriented
The southern entrance leaves SR-141 in Trout Lake. The northern entrance leaves US-12 at Randle (signed for Cispus Valley). Mount Adams Ranger District (Trout Lake office) handles the southern half; Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (Randle office) handles the northern half. The two halves meet at Babyshoe Pass.
Trail Overview
Fifty-six miles, point-to-point. The first 22 miles north out of Trout Lake are paved and follow the Trout Lake Creek and upper White Salmon River drainages. The Mt. Adams Recreation Area sits east of the road on this stretch, with spurs to Bird Creek Meadows, Snowking Falls, and the Cold Springs climbers' camp. Past Takhlakh Lake, the road becomes gravel and climbs over Babyshoe Pass at 4,350 feet on a 12-mile single-lane stretch. The northern half from the pass to Randle is mostly paved again, dropping along the Cispus River.
Points of Interest
- Trout Lake. Southern gateway town with limited services.
- Mt. Adams Ranger District office. Information stop in Trout Lake.
- Bird Creek Meadows. Wildflower meadow on the southeast flank of Mt. Adams (off FR 23 via spur roads).
- Takhlakh Lake. High lake with Mt. Adams reflection on the surface, with USFS campground.
- Babyshoe Pass. 4,350-foot crest, gravel, with views of Mt. Adams to the east.
- Olallie Lake. Smaller lake north of Babyshoe Pass.
- Adams Fork Campground. USFS campground on the northern half along the Cispus River.
- Tower Rock Campground. Northern-half campground.
- Cispus Learning Center. Educational facility on the Cispus River.
Where to Camp
Takhlakh Lake Campground (USFS, reservable) is the most-popular developed site, with views of Mt. Adams across the lake. Adams Fork, Olallie Lake, and Tower Rock Campgrounds round out the developed options on the route. Dispersed camping is permitted on national forest land off side roads; Mt. Adams area meadows are particularly scenic for car camping. Trout Lake and Randle have small commercial bases.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The road's official season is June through November, with closures on the gravel section December 1 through March 31.
- The 12-mile gravel section over Babyshoe Pass is single-lane in places. Yield to uphill traffic.
- A Northwest Forest Pass is required at most trailheads.
- Takhlakh Lake Campground reservations open six months ahead and fill within hours.
- Cell coverage drops out and stays gone.
- Mt. Adams climbers stage from the Cold Springs trailhead off FR 23 spurs; expect early-morning trailhead traffic in summer.
- The Mt. Adams Indian Reservation occupies the southeast corner of the volcano; some trailhead access (Bird Creek Meadows) requires a tribal recreation permit.
- Wildfire smoke can affect views in late summer.
