The "standard" South Side route of Mount Adams runs from Cold Springs at 5,800 feet to the 12,276-foot summit.  From the trailhead, the route runs over 2 miles to timberline, over Morrison Creek, up a rock scramble and to the West of the Crescent Glacier.  From there, the route moves steadily upward to the camping area known as the "Lunch Counter" at 9,300 feet.  Past that point, the route heads steeply up Suksdorf Ridge to the false summit at 11,450 feet called "Piker's Peak" (this is where many pseudo-climbers turn around).  Just under 1 mile later, after a plateau and steep final pitch, the route reaches the "True" Summit at 12,276 feet.   Example photo from July 20, 2003  |  Close Window