Trail #11 Snipes Mountain
This Trail Open to Hiker and Equestrian Use.
Snipes Mountain trail climbs through open pine forests and across rocky slopes through the remains of the 2008 Coldsprings Fire, 2012 Cascade Creek Fire, and 2015 Cougar Creek Fire. It meets Pine-Way Trail #71, then continues into Mt. Adams Wilderness and upwards for another 2.75 miles to the junction with Round the Mountain Trail #9 in high mountain meadows. The trail roughly follows the A.G. Aiken Lava Bed, a 4-miles long and approximately one-half mile wide lava flow from an eruption about 4,000 years ago.
The trail is named after Ben Snipes, a local cattleman. Mt. Adams is historically known for sheep herding; cattle weren't grazed in the Mt. Adams area until 1912, a year that marks the beginning of a number of disputes between sheepherders and cattlemen known locally as the Range Wars.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
Low elevation trails typically melt out by mid-May. High elevation trails typically melt out by mid-July. Snow may persist in spots on north facing slopes. There may be downed trees, washouts, and/or landslides on trails. Carrying mosquito repellent is advisable. Backcountry creeks and streams may dry out so plan ahead in case you need to bring in water. Recreating in burned areas poses greater risks. See safety tips for burned areas. Please assist in reporting wildfires by calling 911 or Columbia Dispatch at (360) 891-5140. Sign up for emergency alerts by county.
- Wilderness Permit required if entering Mt. Adams Wilderness. Free self-issue Wilderness Permit available at trailhead.
- A separate permit is required to use the section of the Round-the-Mountain trail in the Yakama Indian Reservation in the Bird Creek Meadows area. Contact the Yakama Nation for information regarding permits and closures.
Purchase of a Mt. Adams Climbing Activity Pass is required if you are climbing above 7,000 feet elevation in Mt. Adams Wilderness, between May 1 and September 30. (For Wilderness travel at low elevation or during the off-season, Wilderness Permits are required. Failing to pay any special use fee or other charges as required. 36 CFR 261.10(n)).
Wilderness Regulations apply.
- Mountain bikes can only be used from the trailhead up to the junction of Pineway Trail #71.
Building, maintaining, or using a campfire, within Mt. Adams Wilderness is prohibited:
- Above the Round-The-Mountain Trail #9 from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Boundary west to Pacific Crest Trail #2000;
- Above Pacific Crest Trail #2000 north to the intersection of Highline Trail #114;
- Above trail #114 north and east to the Gifford Pinchot Forest Boundary. (36 CFR 261.52(a) )
Getting There
Directions
Additional Information
Operated By
Forest Service
