Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
920.00 ft (280.42 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
6.10 mi (9.82 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Bird Creek Meadows is a wildflower-filled subalpine slope on the southeast base of Mount Adams in the Yakima Nation Reservation (Tract D) Area. Mount Adams is the second tallest peak in Washington and is considered an active volcano. Hikers will enjoy a relaxed climb with numerous trail options that pass by stunning vistas, glacial streams, waterfalls and lakes. Backpackers will also find a great variety of backcounty camping opportunities along the various trails. If you are hiking in late August or early September, you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by meadows teeming with a diverse variety of wildflowers.

From Bird Lake you’ll have the option to begin at either the Bird Lake Trail or the Bluff Lake Trail. If you start on the Bird Lake Trail, you’ll have the opportunity to view Crooked Creek Falls. You can then finish the hike on the Bluff Lake Trail, passing Staircase Falls and Bluff Lake along the way. Both trails meet up with the Around the Mountain Trail that provides access to Hellroaring Viewpoint, Trail of the Flowers loop, the Bird Creek picnic area, and Bird Creek Meadows, all of which are in the same vicinity. Hellroaring Viewpoint provides an excellent picnic opportunity with a breathtaking glimpse of Mount Adams, Hellroaring Canyon and the Mazama Glacier. At the trailhead, Bird Lake Campground offers 21 campsites complete with running water, fire pits and picnic tables, many of which are located near the lake's shore.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Yakama Nation Recreation Pass

Pros

Summer wildflowers. Stunning vistas. Waterfalls and lakes.

Cons

Rough road to the trailheads. Damaged trail signage.

Trailhead Elevation

5,600.00 ft (1,706.88 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Waterfalls
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers

Suitable for

Horseback

Location

Nearby Adventures

Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington
Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington
Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington

Comments

Tried to visit this weekend, Labor Day 2020, and had to turn around 7 miles into the dirt by a permanent gate. Told that this hike has been closed for 5 years, but, as noted before, may be open for 2 weeks, on week days only, in Sept, but they weren't sure. MAKE SURE THAT THIS TRAIL IS OPEN BEFORE GOING. Closure, I was told, was because it is part of the Indian reservation, and now not open to general public. Very disappointing,
08/01/2017
Spoke to Rangers and Yakama reps today: This campground and area will not be open for the 2017 season. They may open for a weekend this September but that is still being decided
08/20/2016
According to the ranger I spoke with today, Bird Creek Meadows is closed for 2016 except for one day: 9/3/2016. This is due to the fire that damaged the area in 2015.
Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.