Mount Adams Fumaroles

Klickitat County, Washington · Near White Salmon
46.2020°N, 121.4920°W · 12,269 ft
150°F 12,269 ft Open Roadside US Forest Service Camping nearby (7.5 mi)
Fumarole: Not a Soaking Spring

Mount Adams Fumaroles is a fumarole, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

These are fumaroles, steam vents high on Mount Adams, and nothing about them is a soak. The temperature given is scalding, and the altitude is over twelve thousand feet in Klickitat County's Gifford Pinchot National Forest. White Salmon, the town listed, is more than thirty miles away. Access is listed as open, which for a summit means the mountain is public land. How you get up there is not on record.

Location

the nearest road on record says South Climb, which at twelve thousand feet is a name for a route up the mountain, and the record puts the vents within a few dozen feet of it. Average temperature is well below freezing and snowfall runs to three hundred inches. Precipitation is high too. This is the summit zone of a volcano.

Do not treat this as a hot springs trip. December through February are rated best, which for a summit this high should be taken with care. Takhlakh Lake Campground, seven or eight miles distant, is the nearest camping listed. The vents are scalding. Steam this hot burns skin.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Mount Adams Fumaroles.

Aerial view of the ground around Mount Adams Fumaroles LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Mount Adams Fumaroles
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
5 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
71 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 6% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
17°
May
23°
Jun
33°
Jul
34°
Aug
26°
Sep
15°
Oct
Nov
Dec
Annual Precip: 65.9 in Annual Snow: 300.2 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 0°F · Water 150°F · +150° contrast
December Air 0°F · Water 150°F · +150° contrast
January Air 1°F · Water 150°F · +149° contrast
February offers 34°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
Tuesday 31° Low 25° Chance Snow Showers 31% precip
Spring is +119° warmer
Wednesday 37° Low 25° Sunny
Spring is +113° warmer
Thursday 43° Low 30° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +107° warmer
Friday 41° Low 31° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +109° warmer
Saturday 44° Low 33° Sunny
Spring is +106° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Takhlakh Lake Campground 7.5 mi away

Overview Takhlakh Lake Campground sits at an elevation of 4,400 feet in a well-shaded location next to its namesake lake. The campground sits at the base of Mt. Adams, providing visitors with incredible views in every direction. The campground has a short season, but it's a particularly popular destination for hikers exploring the trails around Mt. Adams. Recreation The campsite offers access to the Takhlakh Loop, an accessible trail suitable for all ages and skill levels and the Takhlakh Me...

Fee Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00
Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Very High Altitude Advisory 12,269 ft

Mount Adams Fumaroles sits at 12,269 feet, well above 10,000 ft, where the air holds roughly 30% less oxygen than at sea level. Altitude sickness (headache, nausea, dizziness) is a real risk, especially when combined with the dehydrating effects of hot water. UV exposure is approximately 49% stronger than at sea level. Acclimate for at least 24 hours before soaking, drink extra water, and descend if symptoms worsen.

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Temperature
150°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 150°F (66°C)
Avg Air Temp 14°F
Above Ambient +136°F
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road South Climb
Distance to Road 26 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Mount Adams Fumaroles?
Mount Adams Fumaroles has a water temperature of 150°F (66°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Mount Adams Fumaroles located?
Mount Adams Fumaroles is located in Klickitat County, Washington at 12,269 feet elevation, near White Salmon. Coordinates: 46.2020°N, 121.4920°W.
How do I get to Mount Adams Fumaroles?
Mount Adams Fumaroles has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being South Climb (26 ft from the road).
Is Mount Adams Fumaroles free to visit?
Mount Adams Fumaroles has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Mount Adams Fumaroles?
Yes, Takhlakh Lake Campground is located nearby (7.5 miles away). Extra Vehicle Fee $8.00.
Is it safe to soak at Mount Adams Fumaroles?
No, not at the source. The water at Mount Adams Fumaroles reaches 150°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.