Mt. Adams: SW Chutes Approach

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

Ski crampons, boot crampons, and and ice axe may be needed depending on the freeze/thaw cycle when you reach the false summit pitch. The top of SW Chutes starts from the top of Pikers Peak, not down in the saddle between Pikers Peak and the true summit.

Follow the fire road from the trailhead past an easy right bend then a sharp left turn. When the obvious cut out fire road ends, trend slightly north by northeast working towards the Crescent Glacier and Lunch Counter areas. The GPX file on this page shows the approach around the west side (climber's left) of the Crescent Glacier.

Another option is to move climber's right of the Crescent Glacier through rock bands to the Lunch Counter area. Both paths meet at the base of the false summit (Pikers Peak) of Mt Adams. The trail shown on this page may be more direct but steeper, while the Lunch Counter approach is slightly longer and less steep.

Once at the base of the false summit, head straight up to the top. Continue on to the the true summit or transition and ski down from Pikers Peak through the SW Chutes.