Round The Mountain

Hike over 9 miles on a trail that passes many lakes, through wildflower fields, and connects with the Pacific Crest Trail.

From Horseshoe Meadows, on the Pacific Crest Trail, the Round the Mountain trail heads southeast. For 1.1 mile, hike along the PCT to a trail junction with Looking Glass Lake trail. Passing through this junction, continue hiking for another 2.2 miles to the junction with Shorthorn trail.

Pass again straight through this junction as your way continues on for another 2.8 miles to the junction with the South Climb trail, one of the more popular routes up Mount Adams. Past the junction with South Climb trail, the Round the Mountain trail follows the wilderness boundary ane the north end of the Aiken Lava Bed.

The trail enters the Yakama Indian Reservation at the junction with Snipes Mountain Trail #11. The Forest Service maintains the trail to the reservation boundary, but the section through Bird Creek Meadows is under management of the Yakama Indian Nation, and Bird Creek Meadows has been closed indefinitely. Hikers should consult a map and avoid the private land section of this loop unless they have a permit to do so.

When it is open, permits to use Yakama lands are available from rangers stationed at Bird Lake.