From Peter Nelson:
Hi all,
In light of so many people wanting to go on the first Mt. Adams trip, I agreed to lead a second trip. Here is my proposed plan for the additional Mt. Adams trip. Carpool from Trout Lake on Friday, Sept. 18 up to the Morrison Creek campground on and camp there the first night to allow stragglers to come in. Bring water as none is available or at least a water filter. There is a lava flow to the east, to which we could take a day trip there and collect interesting saxicolous and terricolous species. I've seen nice beds of Solorina crocea there as well as other strange things, such as Letharia vulpina growing on rocks. Perhaps we'll find some other interesting things I suspect might also occur there, like additional locations of Usnea lambii and Umbilicaria virginis that Jim R. reported from the other side of the mountain.
On Saturday morning we depart on the trail heading NW (not
sure on the trail #), hike for 3-5 miles and camp in the vicinity
of the headwaters of Cascade creek. Along the way, there are subalpine
forests and rock outcrops on Crofton Ridge to explore. Sunday,
we then hike the 1.5 miles to the PCT, take it for 4 miles north
to another lava flow and camp as close as possible to it for more
collecting. Alternatively, we could do that as a day trip and
stay in our campsite around Cascade Creek. Monday, we pack up
and walk back to the Morrison Creek campground. If some folks
want to stay Monday night at Morrison Creek campground again for
a little more time outdoors on Tuesday, that might be a possibility.
Most of those creeks are glacial and water filtration maybe an
issue. If you have a water filter, bring an extra filter cartridge.
Also, it could always snow on us, obscuring our treasure hunt
for cool lichens.
Let me know if your interested and I'll start the list of folks that are on board. I am guessing that the party limit will be 12 persons as per the permit.
Looking forward to a great trip!
-Peter