In mid-August, we hiked the Bird Creek Meadows Loop from Bird Lake, with a small side-trip to Hellroaring Overlook. This was our second visit to the incredibly beautiful Mount Adams Recreation Area. On our last visit, we hiked up to Iceberg Lake via the Bird Creek Meadows Trailhead, along the way passing Hellroaring Overlook and 30+ mountain goats. See that trip report here.

 

It was incredibly beautiful! We got to hike the loop in mid-August of 2015, just before the Cougar Creek Fire swept through the area this past summer. Much of Bird Creek Meadows was spared from the fire, but everything below Bluff Lake, including Bird Lake, was consumed by the fire.

 

We hiked the loop clockwise, starting on the Bird Lake Trail and ending on the Bluff Lake Trail.

 

 

 

Opening Photo:

Small mountainside stream at Bird Creek Meadows

 

Here is a video/short film I put together of this area, filmed during this hike and the previous hike up to Iceberg Lake in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

------Trip Report------

 

We started at the trailhead at Bird Lake Campground . This is Bird Lake before the fire.and headed up the Bird Lake Trail towards Crooked Creek Falls. The trail closely follows Crooked Creek, crossing it at times.

 

 

 

The lush green shores of scenic Bird Lake

 

 

 

 

 

The Bird Lake Trailhead.

 

 

 

 

 

We soon came to a small waterfall along the Bird Lake Trail; the trail crosses over the creek just above the falls. The trail continued to meander through the lush, green forest and meadows, crossing the creek a few more times even.

 

Crossing Crooked Creek

 

 

 

 

 

Soon, we reached Crooked Creek Falls! This falls is around 50' tall, I believe. It is a gorgeous waterfall; one of my favorites on Mount Adams. We found lots of wildflowers along the creek too.

 

Wildflowers consolidate around Crooked Creek Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

Along the trail, we came to a neat little viewpoint. Right after soaking in the view at Crooked Creek Falls, we crossed a lovely mountain stream framed by more colorful wildflowers.

 

Wildflowers along a mountain stream.

 

 

 

 

 

Soon after the falls, we reached the junction with the Round the Mountain Trail. There were many small stream crossings along the Round the Mountain Trail, such as a small staircase waterfall.

 

 

 

Small unnamed staircase waterfall along the Round the Mountain Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

As sunset grew closer, the sky lit up! I loved hiking under this dramatic-looking sky. We then passed by a small pond along the Round the Mountain Trail. Most of the flowers were spent by now, but a few patches were left.

 

 

 

 

 

The dramatic sky made the forest come alive with color.

 

 

 

 

 

Soon we reached the junction with the Trail of Flowers; we turned left. We then took Trail #67 to the Hellroaring Canyon Overlook. Upon nearing the overlook, we came upon a nice patch of flowers in full bloom alongside a little stream.

 

Wildflowers, oh my!

 

Wildflowers congregate around a small, mountain spring.

 

 

 

 

 

Soon Mount Adams and the massive Hellroaring Canyon unfolded before us. Mount Adams remained mostly hidden, but the dramatic clouds and epic canyon vista made up it.
The ridge on the far right is the Ridge of Wonders, and the large waterfall at right-center is unofficially called Hellroaring Basin Falls. Little Mount Adams prominently marks the southeastern end of the Ridge of Wonders as well.

 

 

 

The vista unfolds as one approaches Hellroaring Overlook.

 

 

 

 

 

Little Mount Adams prominently marks the eastern end of the Ridge of Wonders.

 

 

 

 

 

This is what the Hellroaring Overlook looks like on a clear, sunny day:

Hellroaring Overlook. Photo taken in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

After Hellroaring Overlook, it was getting too dark for regular photos. On returning, we took the eastern half of the Trail of Flowers loop trail. Nearly all the picnic tables at the Bird Creek Meadows Picnic Area were half-buried in the ground.

 

After passing through most of the half-buried picnic tables, we arrived at the Bird Creek Meadows sign. We then took the Bluff Lake Trail back to Bird Lake, but it was too dark to take any more photos. However, we did get one final view of Mount Adams. We also saw an unusable/retired water spigot that once served the picnic area.

 

Along the Bluff Lake Trail, we crossed beneath Staircase Falls. As this falls lies below Bluff Lake, chances are it was consumed by the fire.

 

 

 

 

 

Summary
Distance: 5.67 mi

 

Elevation SRTM
Elevation Gain: 1149.88 ft
Elevation Loss: 1149.88 ft
Min Elevation: 5597.11 ft
Max Elevation: 6502.62 ft

 

------Maps------

 

Here is the topo map found on the Oregon Hikers Field Guide. Read the PH/OH hiking guide here

 

GPSfly Track:
http://gpsfly.org/g/5629

 

 

 

 

 

––––Everfree Hikers––––

 

If you are a hiker (novice or experienced) or are interested in joining a brony hiking community, consider joining the group, Everfree Hikers. We have 126 members and counting!
We welcome everyone of all levels of experience. While the group is focused on hiking, we also embrace mountain biking, climbing, rafting, birding, winter sports, and camping activities!
We challenge everyone to be like Daring Do and go live your own adventure! #FindYourPark #WeAreTheWild #PoniesAroundTheWorld

 

 

 

Source: Hiking the Incredibly Beautiful Bird Creek Meadows (Mt. Adams, Washington)