Muddy Meadows Trail #13

Muddy Meadows Trail #13 is an easy hiking route through Mt. Adams Wilderness on the north side of Mt. Adams. It’s built for short approach hikes into higher destinations, with the trail leading to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) junction and beyond. Expect open sub-alpine meadow sections and dense conifer forest early in the hike.

The most useful way to plan this hike is as an out-and-back to the PCT junction: the one-way distance to the PCT junction is about 3.1 miles, turning it into about a 6.2-mile round trip. The overall route length can extend farther if you continue past the PCT junction toward the High Line Trail #114.

Trail character is a gradual start through meadow, then a steeper middle that organizes into long switchbacks and later transitions back toward open meadow. Early on you’ll drop through a dry meadow into conifer forest, then cross a wooden bridge over a wet, muddy meadow and a small brook before the climbing starts.

As you go higher, the route opens into the Muddy Meadows basin with prominent wildflower growth in summer, plus Muddy Fork drainage nearby. A steady climb follows—about 600 feet up via four long switchbacks—with muddy tread possible early in the season.

At roughly 3.1 miles you reach the Pacific Crest Trail junction. From there, staying with the same trail for a return gives you a controlled day hike, while continuing past the junction connects toward High Line Trail #114 and options farther up-country.

This route is commonly timed for late July through September, when summer wildflowers peak and the season supports longer meadow travel. Access is from the Muddy Meadows trailhead, which provides trail access to Muddy Meadows Trail #13 entering Mt. Adams Wilderness from the north; the site does not provide restrooms or potable water.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Wildflower Hiking the Highline Trail #114 - Paul Slichter