Mt. Adams

Route: Horn Creek
Posted On: 6/20/2025, By: Outbounder
Info: The horn creek TH can be accessed by any vehicle. The approach trail (5 miles one way) is wet and muddy in spots; waterproof shoes are suggested. This is one of the more densely wooded areas in the sangres, so be bear aware. I saw one on the trail (it didn't give me any trouble). When you reach the lakes, the willows are THICK. Try to find the easiest way around them. The hike up the slope to gain the ridge is longer than it looks. The ridge itself is a fun climb and can probably be kept to a class 2. I did opt for a few class 3 sections because they looked fun and safe. While this is conglomerate rock, there are still loose sections; check your holds! If you don't like the ridge, you can eventually drop down to some grassy ledges below the summit and hike up that way. Either way works :) 

Route: up south ridge from 13543 down NW ridge from 13159
Posted On: 6/16/2025, By: coopergould
Info: Awesome day on Mt. Adams, what a cool mountain. Ascended UN13543 via Willow Lake - minimal willow bashing in the upper basin and simple contouring around the remaining snow leading up to the summit. Adams' South Ridge was the highlight of the loop - super fun terrain and 100% snow free. Only one ~20ft section of true class 3 (I'm sure there is a way around it), rest can be kept at 2/2+ easily if desired. Crestone conglomerate abounds, and there is a great section of light scrambling right at the summit. Descendent off the summit block to the east was dry and less steep than expected, grassy ledge traverse mentioned in several trip reports is obvious. A few short snow crossings heading down the NW Ridge to UN13159 - I found sticking right on top of the ridge lent itself to the most stable, grassy, snow free terrain. Getting sucked off the ridge to the west is fine but there is more talus and side hilling to deal with. Final descent off UN13159 to South Crestone Lake went quick, and the trail back to the trailhead was a nice changeup from the Willow Lake side. Overall incredible loop in essentially summer conditions - highly recommend! 

Route: Via S Crestone Lake
Posted On: 5/27/2025, By: Lubellski
Info: Came from UN 13,159. Excellent rock quality sticking to the northern precipice. Lots of snow on the face, but could descend via plunge step, if I had an axe the glissade would have been perfect. A very fun climb. Almost no snow until South Crestone Lake, and snow could have almost been entirely avoided with careful route selection. 

Route: West ridge via Willow Creek
Posted On: 5/25/2025, By: Jbakeman
Info: Started at 5 am. Trail is mostly clear until the lake. Notch still had snow but microspikes were sufficient. Melting quickly here. Ridge was good but lots of snow on south side. Needed crampons and axe for descent off summit block. 

Route: West ridge via Willow Creek
Posted On: 12/30/2024, By: Yikes
Info: About as easy as it gets for a winter ascent. Road to summer TH is open (which usually isn't the case in winter), saving extra miles. Trail to the lake is packed snow in the trees and dry in the open (probably several miles of bone dry trail). Snow is deeper near the lake but not bad. Slope above lake is dry. The upper basin is a little bit of a grunt with soft snow and bushes, but it passes pretty quickly. Snow slope up to the saddle is hard pack. Upper ridge is fairly dry. A few steep snow sections where you wouldn't want to fall. 

Route: from n crestone lake
Posted On: 9/1/2024, By: Laxer04
Info: summer conditions. summit register is missing the lid and notepad/pen 

Route: West ridge via Willow Creek
Posted On: 9/1/2024, By: wintersage
Info: I went up Willow Creek and summited UN 13552 first, I then took the ridge directly to Mt Adams. The summit register at UN 13552 is completely soaked and should be replaced so if you are going up there, bring a paper and pen. Ditto for Mt Adams but it seems like the cap for it is missing. This side of the mountain was completely dry despite the overnight rain and there werent many mosquitos on the approach either. Back at the Willow Lake campsite there were many deer and bighorn sheep sniffing around the tents. They are completely socialized now it seems and did not fear approaching hikers. 

Route: Horn Creek -> Adams -> 13,543 -> 13,533
Posted On: 8/12/2024, By: backcountrybrodes
Info: Wet in the morning from all the rain and water levels were running about as high as youd expect in late June! Foggy and eerie from 13.2k and higher until around 3pm. No summit views from Adams but the Challenger/Kit combo and Willow Lake afterwards made for some sweet views!!! Be prepared to intensely bushwhack at the bottom if you choose to head down the NW slopes of Little Baldy. Still dont know how our feet didnt get wet 

Route: From East via Horn Creek TH
Posted On: 7/12/2024, By: Jerousek
Info: The mosquito situation is way out of hand. Bring bug spray, consider a bandana or a mask, as well; my partner and I both ended up choking on/inhaling mosquitos on the ascent and descent. The mosquitos are running the place out there. 

Route: via Horn Creek TH (Little Horn+Fluted/Adams Ridge)
Posted On: 7/3/2024, By: nickcreek72
Info: Summer conditions on Adams from Horn Creek TH as of Tuesday 07-02. Climbed Adams via Little Horn Peak and Fluted Peak connecting ridge. Decent into Macy Lakes was also snow free. 

Route: Gully to pt 13546 then W ridge over
Posted On: 6/23/2024, By: Belchfire
Info: Moody day in the Sangre! No rain, but clouds for 85% of the day. Creek crossings are exciting, look for the lower creek crossing on the big one, and the tree uphill of trail that lies across the river for the second crossing. It is wet out thereand VERY very buggy! summer conditions pretty much everywhere down there. We took an We took a random south facing gully up to 13546 that worked fine at class 2+. Adams was a little spicier (still class 3 max) than I expected, but I stayed a little more Ridge than going around to the south east slopes. Adams Ridge is super fun, highly recommend Climbing as high as you feel comfortable down climbing if needed. There is an obvious point where yer definitely gonna Listen, come on WILSON to need a different route. If anything, beta! 

Route: Horn Creek
Posted On: 10/14/2023, By: Veory
Info: Only part really affected by snow is the summit block. Standard class 3 route covered as are ledges to traverse around. Easiest way I could find was 5.3-5.4ish, a dihedral just left around the corner from the other low 5th chimney. Got my timing right to watch the eclipse from the summit which was pretty cool (actually quite cold without the sunlight). I'll post pics when I get home sometime. 

Route: West ridge via Willow Creek
Posted On: 10/11/2023, By: notidealbutfine
Info: Summitted Adams and Pt. 13,153 via Willow Lake today (10/11/23). Insane, swirling high winds and close to zero visibility for the top 600' or so. A little harrowing on summit and descent. The two routes I climbed (Adams - W. Ridge and Pt. 13,153 - SE. Ridge) we generally snow-free. However, there is enough snow on the northern aspects to warrant spikes if you're planning on being up here soon, though a storm is hitting tonight/tommorrow so most of this will probably change. Descended from Pt. 13,153 to South Crestone Lake to complete the loop. Sorry no pics, phone got too cold! ~14 miles 7 hours car to car 

Route: Horn creek
Posted On: 10/9/2023, By: jbealer
Info: Route is dry till you get to the ridge, snow holding on the right side of the ridge, and in the front face of adams. We found no issues with the snow we did have to cross, just be sure of your feet. Of course all this will change come the end of the week. We had a perfect day 

Route: West ridge via Willow Creek
Posted On: 9/25/2023, By: mjlucarelli
Info: Hiked Adams with Unnamed 13,552' (Lidar) or 13,546', and while I could see snow on the north side of these peaks the standard routes are still summer conditions. Get them while you can!