- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington
Backpacking the Highline Trail in Mount Adams Wilderness
If you’re looking for a unique area for an overnight with limited crowds, you should check out the Highline Trail in Mount Adams Wilderness. This incredible trail overlaps with the PCT, so while you might get passed by some thru-hikers, you’re guaranteed a steady, gradual grade on the trail.
The Highline Trail to Devil’s Garden is considered one of the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington, a popular trail book for the state of Washington. While the book includes heavily popularized trails like Snow Lake, the Skyline Loop, and Enchanted Valley, it also includes an incredible list of under-the-radar trails like this one.
I completed the Highline Trail to Devil’s Garden as an overnight backpacking trip in the late summer. I’ve been putting off completing this trail in the 100 Classics book since it was so far away, but holy cow! I left this trail wanting to hike it again and again.
In this blog post, I will share all you need to know about the Highline Trail before you get there and what to expect along the way. Additionally, I’ll share some gear recommendations and other trails to add to your “to-do” list in the Mount Baker Wilderness.
If all of that sounds good to you, let’s get into it!
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Highline Trail to Devils Gardens via Muddy Meadows & Foggy Flat
If you’re looking at a trail map, you will see a number of different trails that connect to the Highline Trail. The WTA Mount Adams Highline Trail Report details an out-and-back style trail. But if you’re looking for a more interesting route with varied scenery, I suggest hiking the PCT to Pocket Lake before connecting to the Highline Trail, and on the way out, hiking the Highline to Muddy Meadows to the Pacific Crest Trail.
Don’t worry, I will detail all of the different trail options below.
Let’s get to the details you need to know before the trek!
Know Before You Go
Regardless of whether you’re completing this trail as a long day hike or as an overnight, here is some vital information to consider before hitting the trail.
Trail Stats
Distance: 20.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet
Estimated Time: 9+ hours, recommended as an overnight
Trail Type: Lollipop
Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
Location: Mount Adams Wilderness
Permits: Northwest Forest Pass & Overnight Wilderness Pass(self-issued)
Dogs Allowed?: Yes – On Leash
Bathrooms?: None
Location of the Trail
The Highline Trail in Mount Adams Wilderness is located on the ancestral lands of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Nations, and the Cowlitz and Klickitat nations. They have and continue to be the stewards of the land. We honor them by respecting the land we use.
Getting to the Trailhead
Getting to the trailhead of the trail is relatively straightforward from I-5. Exit I-5 South onto Highway 12 west, continuing straight until you reach County Road 131. Follow County Road 131 until you reach the road fork of Forest Service Roads 23 and 25. Follow Forest Road 23 to the left. Turn left on Forest Road 2329 and follow the road until NF 54603. Turn right onto National Forest Service Road 5603 until you reach the trailhead, which will be on the left near Potato Hill.
The trailhead comes out of nowhere, and the lot has room for about six cars. The lot intersects the PCT, so you will likely see several congregated hikers here! Bring some trail magic, such as light beer or NA beer, cookies, or chips. Personally, I think chips and salsa would slap.
You can also start at the Killen Creek Trailhead if you want to take the Muddy Meadows Trail directly to the Highline Trail and avoid hiking on the PCT.
Trailhead Facilities
There are no trailhead facilities. You will need to pack out what you packed in.
Season to Visit
According to Craig Ramano in “100 Classic Hikes“, the best time to visit the trail is between late July and October.
I hiked the trail in Early September and found the conditions to be perfect. There were still plenty of water sources, the trail was dry, and mosquitoes were nonexistent. Earlier in the season, it was reported that mosquitoes are an issue, and there is still lingering snow at some of the higher altitude areas.
In the Mount Adams Wilderness Area, I have found that many of the trails I enjoy here are best done in August.
Passes/Permits
In the Mount Adams Wilderness Area, you will need a Northwest Forest Pass.
The Northwest Forest Pass has an annual fee of $30 and provides access to all Washington and Oregon National Forests for a year. Fun Fact: If you do trail work with Washington Trails Association, you will be given one!
You can purchase a Northwest Forest Pass here!
With funding being cut to our National Parks & Forests, making sure you purchase a pass is a great way to support our Forest Service Staff.
Overnight Permit
If you plan on backpacking the Highline Trail, you will also need a self-issued permit.
This permit is available to fill out at the trail information sign near the trailhead. This gives the park service the data they need to properly allocate funds to the area, as well as assist with rescues when needed.
Please fill it out!
Water & Safety
There are a few stream crossings along this trail, one along the PCT after the Lava Field, where a bridge collapsed, and the other near Devil’s Garden. The bridge is still there, and it isn’t too hard to cross using the logs and the broken bridge.
The dangerous stream crossing is at West Fork and East Fork, which you will need to cross to reach Devil’s Garden past Foggy Flats. The rushing water and wet rocks make navigating these areas challenging. In the morning, the stream crossings are safer, but by late afternoon, the water swells with snow melt, making the crossing more dangerous.
Consider trudging through the stream with hiking poles and water shoes, as it is very easy to slip on the wet rocks.
At all of the campsites in the area, there is a nearby stream to collect water from, but I would not recommend filtering water from some of the lakes on the route.
Related Read: Shoe Lake via the PCT
Hiking the Highline Trail to Devil’s Garden
When my friend Claire and I completed this trail, we decided to extend the trip a little bit by first hiking to some of the lakes along the Pacific Crest Trail: Pocket Lake, Butterfly Lake, and Batty Lake in the Killen Creek Meadows.
I would recommend this route if you have the time because it breaks up the scenery in an otherwise repetitive section of trail. But you can hike out following the PCT to Muddy Meadows to the Highline Trail and then back again.
Pacific Crest Trail to Pocket Lake
Begin the trail at the Potato Hill Trailhead. The parking lot of the trailhead is across the street from the trail you will be taking. So after getting your pack on and locking up your car, head across the street to the trailhead, where you will find the trail sign and self-issued permit box.
The first section of the trail is a descent that leads you through dense pines along a wide, packed-down trail lined with wild blueberry bushes. If you’re feeling like a sweet treat, definitely help yourself to some blueberries! The first mile is pretty uneventful, but it will get your heart pumping as your body adjusts to the weight of your pack in preparation for the uphill climb.
At 1.5 miles into the trail, the trees will open up and you’ll get your first glimpse at one of the breathtaking lava flows in the area. These rocky lava flows are remnants of “ancient” eruptions. You’ll see large trees growing out of the lava rocks. Walk along these lava flows for about a quarter mile before you reach a large campsite with a gorgeous, bubbly stream. This is a good place to stop for water if you need it!
Here, your uphill climb begins as you continue to follow the PCT. In this section of the trail, you will cross a few bridges, including the bridge that collapsed before you reach the trail intersection of the PCT and Muddy Meadows Trail. This intersection is a great spot to rest, but there is no access to water.
Continue following the PCT for another 2.1 miles before reaching Pocket Lake.
Pocket Lake to Killen Creek Ponds
Pocket Lake is a quick detour off the PCT, and it is the perfect spot to take a break and stop for lunch. You can post up under some shade and enjoy the glassy lake and local birds.
There is a trail that connects Pocket Lake to Butterfly Lake. Butterfly Lake has several campsites for people, but Pocket Lake does not.
Continue hiking for another quarter mile before reaching the intersection of the PCT, Old PCT, and the Highline Trail. Here, we decided to continue on the PCT towards Killen Creek Ponds to filter water. You will find plenty of tucked-away camp sites and gorgeous streams in this area. This is also the area where you will get your first full view of Mount Adams.
But you can also skip Killen Creek Ponds if you don’t need a water refill.
Killen Creek Ponds to Foggy Flat
Backtrack to the intersection of the PCT and the Highline Trail. Continuing onto the Highline Trail, you will quickly pass Batty Lake on your right.
This short section of trail is steeper than the PCT. However, as you climb the terrain, the trees begin to thin out, and you’ll catch glimpses of the impressive Mount Adams. After 1.6 miles, you will see a fork in the road; one continues with the Highline Trail, and the other is Muddy Meadows.
Stick to the right and continue towards Foggy Flat. There is a relatively steep climb here, but the trail is well shaded, so even on a hot day, you will get some relief from the sun.
It is about a mile before you reach the Foggy Flat campground area. There is a small stream a little further down that has delicious and cold water for filtering.
Camping at Foggy Flat
We reached the Foggy Flat area around 3:30 PM with 5 hours of walking time.
The Foggy Flat camping area is a popular area for backpacking in the Mount Adams wilderness. There are a good handful of established campsites tucked into the nooks and crannies of the area. Some are so well hidden that you will follow a path to a campsite just for it to have been taken already.
Many people spend two nights at this campground so they can day hike to Devil’s Garden during the following day.
This area is marshy. The further into Foggy Flat you go, the swampier and squishier the grass area gets. However, it was surprisingly not buggy while we were there. The standing water of the flat seems like the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
There are plenty of places to hang a bear safe food bag or gravity filter. We carried bear cans and found an area to tuck them under some tree roots.
I would estimate that there were probably 15 tents in the area.
Foggy Flat to Devils Garden
The hike from Foggy Flat to the Devil’s Garden area is about two miles. Head down the creek and cross the slender log bridge before hitting a short collection of switchbacks.
The trail here is significantly steeper than the previous sections, and much of the trail remains rocky from this point forward.
After about a half mile of hiking, the trees begin to open up, and you’ll see piles of volcanic, rocky terrain. It feels like you’re in a completely different world.
There are some campsites scattered amongst the rock piles that I would want to camp at if/when I do this trail again. Definitely when.
There are large piles of pumice rock along the route, making it easy to follow the trail for the most part. The rocky nature and color of the lava rocks do make route finding challenging if you were to step off the trail.
You will need to cross the Muddy Fork Branches to get to Devil’s Garden. These fast-moving stream crossings can be tricky to cross and are particularly hazardous early in the hiking season and late in the afternoon, especially after large amounts of snowmelt. While there are areas along the river that most people cross, I do believe that you should find a location to cross that YOU feel comfortable crossing.
REMEMBER: UNBUCKLE YOUR CHEST AND WAIST STRAPS BEFORE WATER CROSSINGS.
Continue up the rugged trail until you reach the second stream crossing. Again, it is okay to move up and down the side of the stream until you find a place you feel comfortable crossing at.
The trail continues steeply up the lava rock and cinder-covered trail until you reach Devil’s Garden and the border of the Yakama Reservation. From Devil’s Garden, you have excellent views of Mount Adams and Mount Rainier. You can also see Red Butte. Red Butte is one of the lava vents of Mount Adams. (fact check me on this).
You can continue down to Avalanche Valley and camp there if you don’t want to spend a second night at Foggy Flat. I didn’t make it quite that far, but when I do, I’ll share an update!
Devil’s Garden to the Trailhead
The hike back to the trailhead is relatively quick, especially since the only uphill section on the trail is the last half-mile.
Hike back to Foggy Flats for a water refill, then make your way back down the Highline Trail until you reach the Muddy Meadows intersection. Take the trail to the right, where you will quickly come across the Green Timber Campground.
The Green Timber Campground is another great camping area with plenty of water access, as streams intersect many of the campgrounds, creating a collection of small islands you can camp on. That being said, some of the campsites were extremely muddy.
You will follow the Muddy Meadows Trail for just under two miles before joining back up with the PCT. This intersection is the spot where I took the PCT to the Killen Creek Meadows. So here you will join back up with the trail leading you back to the trailhead.
Once you reach the lava flow area, you’re almost back! Just the last remaining uphill section to go before you’re home free!
Read Next: Trail Guide to Cispus Basin
Backpacking the Highline Trail (Mount Adams)
I truly believe this trail is a great backpacking trail, especially for beginners, because it follows the PCT. The Pacific Crest Trail is such a well-graded, well-taken care of, and easy-to-follow trail system that you can get a ton of miles in without feeling exhausted.
If you plan on backpacking the Highline Trail, here are some gear suggestions I found particularly useful(beyond standard backpacking gear), especially given the terrain:
- Sun hat, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and sunshirt
- Layers for cold evenings. I bring this puffy jacket with me all season
- Sturdy boots with a good grip for the rocky pumice surfaces
- Trekking poles for creek crossings and good posture
- Camp stove windscreen
- Sandals for crossing the Muddy Fork streams
- Gravity Filter to hold extra water at camp
For my complete guide on backpacking gear, you can check it out here.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about hiking and backpacking in this area, let me know! Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:
Can you do this as a day-hike?
Yes, you can hike the Highline Trail in one day, but you may want to skip the Killen Creek meadows and head straight to Devil’s Garden. For most people, the ride to the trailhead is a long way away, so getting an early start is the way to go, especially later in the season when the sun sets earlier. There are some FCFS campgrounds on the forest service road that you could camp at the night before, so that you can get an earlier start.
It is popular with trail runners because it is a reasonable distance with a gradual, consistent gain.
How hard are the creek crossings?
The creek crossings can definitely be dangerous and scary. If you have the option to do the crossings in the morning, I would recommend that, since the water levels aren’t as high or as swift.
After rain, the water levels can rise significantly, and if you’re hiking earlier in the season, water levels can get above your knees.
Make sure you have trekking poles and water shoes, or at least shoes you don’t mind getting wet.
Can you do this trail as an overnight instead of a multi-day?
Yes, you can stay at Foggy Flats for one night and then either hike into Devil’s Garden after setting up camp later in the day or hike there in the morning before hiking out.
Either option, you can leave your backpacking gear at Foggy Flats, so you don’t have a heavy pack on while doing it. Just bring the essentials with you.
Related Read: Summiting Mount St Helens
Should “Devils Gardens via Highline Trail” be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington“. It has been a goal of mine since my first summer living in Washington, and I am well on my way to completing that goal. But the question is, should the Highline Trail be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
I would argue that the Mount Adams Wilderness Area is vastly underrated. Maybe since Mount Rainier is nearby and the area is rather tricky to get to and secluded? I have no idea, but the area needs more appreciation.
I absolutely believe that this trail, especially Devil’s Garden, should be one of the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington. The trail guide has done a fabulous job of picking unique trails that demonstrate just how diverse the landscape of Washington is. There were plenty of beautiful campgrounds along the trail, and while water sources were a handful of miles apart, I didn’t feel like there was limited water access until you got up to Devil’s Garden.
From a geological standpoint, and as someone with a master’s in Earth Science, I was blown away by these ancient lava flows. Red Butte specifically left me captivated. Mount Adams is the only active volcanic peak located on the Cascade Crest. While Devils Garden is considered a young lava flow, it is impressive to compare the relative age of the volcano to the age of some of the trees growing in the flow. It makes it slightly easier to comprehend just how old the volcano and flow are, even if the flow is considered “young” by geological standards.
You can purchase the 100 Classics book here!
Other Trails in the Area
Some other trails that are relatively close to the area that are worth checking out include:
- Twin Sisters Lakes – An easy day hike or backpacking route to some fish-filled lakes in the Mount Adams Recreational Area.
- Mount St. Helens Summit Trail – An incredible Washington Summit with views of Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak.
- Cispus Basin – Another overlap of the PCT, this gorgeous area has towering waterfalls and herds of mountain goats.
- Mount Aix – This strenuous, exposed trail is not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the effort.
- Silver Star Mountain – North of the Columbia River Gorge, this mountain summit is accessible, beautiful, and perfect for early-season hiking.
All of these trails are in the 100 Classic Hikes of Washington trail guide!
Pack it Up
Before heading out on any hike, it is vital to check all trail conditions, weather conditions, and road conditions. This is especially true for these more isolated routes. My favorite place to check updated trail reviews is on the Washington Trails Association website, where they have tons of user-generated trail reports.
When crossing the streams, try to cross them earlier in the day with hiking poles and water shoes. If your socks get wet in a water crossing, make sure you have a spare pair of dry socks.
Want to grab a post-hike beer after hiking the Highline Trail? Well, how about a cider? Mill Haus is one of my favorite places to stop after hiking in the area. They have tons of cider options, a great outdoor space, and plenty of delicious food options. Whenever I can stop here post-hike, I do!
If you’re interested in following my 100 Classic Hikes journey, check out my Instagram!
Happy Hiking!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
