Mt. Adams: Mazama Glacier & Yakima Indian Res.

[Braumeister]

A search of this forum has resulted in some conflicting information regarding passage into the Yakima Indian Reservation for the Mazama Glacier climb--I've heard there was an agreement that the Yakima Indians were to leave the area open to recreation, but others say they're enforcing their sovereign ownership of this land. Can anyone help clear this up?

 

Our plans are to park at Cold Springs and walk in to Bird Creek Meadows, climb the Mazama Glacier as a carry-over, and descend Suskdorf Ridge/South Spur. We'll also be climbing during the week, so I expect fewer problems, but...

 

Should we be concerned with "trespassing" on the reservation? Do the Yakima Indians actively patrol this area? I've heard the permit process to do it the right way is nightmarish and unnecessary.

 

Sharing any practical experience would be much appreciated!

[Rodchester]

Well...its been along time, but my recollection is thast they charge a fee ($15?) to cross/use thier land. That was some 4 or 5 years ago when I last looked into it.

 

Can you call the tribe?

 

Good luck and post what ever info you gather.

[retired]

climbed the route in the same manner you describe , you will see no officials higher than roads to collect fees. this was back in 93 but just last year I followed the trail east into the reservation and there is nothing but a sign to mark the change. the climb itself was a beautiful solo expierence. had broken my arm in a bike crash and decided since my legs still work I'd do the route. spent an enjoyable bivy at Mazama saddle (cool spot) climbed the route without incident and never saw another human until joining the regular route at the false summit. the route is non technical but opens up a bit later in the summer. Have fun and enjoy the solitude. Jim

[Courtenay]

From what I understand from the rangers, the east area opens for general recreation use after July 1 (Mazama Glacier etc.) but the south and north not on the reservation itself are fair game. Hope that helps.

[Fairweather]

The guy at Bird Lake/Mirror Lake will let you in to hike or camp with the fee, but if you tell him you are climbing he'll send you back to Glenwood to get a YIN climbing permit. You will drive all the way down and then east to Glenwood only to find the tribal center is closed on Saturdays. Then you will drive back to Randle and the lady at the FS ranger station will give you an official PC script of revisionist history regarding the 1973 agreement between the tribe and the Nixon Administration/USFS.

 

Here's how you do it: Park at Cold Springs and take the RTM eastward. When you pop out above Bird Creek Meadows area and see a bunch of "No ATV's above this point" signposts, start angling upward (left) toward the first big moraine. Now you're on your way! (and officially trespassing) About 3 or 4 easy hours to Sunrise Camp. Carry over and enjoy the long slide down the South Spur.

 

This is how it transpired in 1999, last time I was up in the area.

 

Have fun!

 

ps: I'm glad someone remembers the terms of the original deal with the Yakima's. I find it ironic that it is probably easier for me to get a visa to Myanamar or Yemen than it is for me to access Yakima Indian "Nation" lands.

[Braumeister]

UPDATE:

A nice young man (in stark contrast to the usual grumpy older woman) answering the Trout Lake Ranger Station's phone gave me the phone number to the Yakima Nation's "Tract D Area Supervisor" (509-865-5121, ext. 657). An unnamed young woman answered at this number and did her best to answer my questions. I told her we would be walking in from Cold Springs and climbing the Mazama Glacier Route on Yakima Indian land; I was told that cars driving in to Bird Creek Meadows would be issued a parking pass by the ranger on site for $5. When I asked if this fee also applied to people walking into the area via the RTM trail, she made it sound like it was extremely unlikely anyone would know, but if we did see a ranger, he would be able to issue the permit ("But if you don't see a ranger up there, I guess it's on us."). We were also strongly urged to file our itinerary with someone for safety reasons; I explained that we would be doing this with the USFS in conjunction with our Cascade Volcanoes Pass permit and she seemed satisfied.

 

So, it sounds like the YIN ranger efforts are from the driver's seat of a pickup truck parked at the Meadows. I can't say that I'm a bit surprised by the conflicting information, as this seems to be the status quo with Indian Tribes as evidenced by this experience and the regular business dealings I have with Michigan area tribes. It's a good thing so much revenue is available from fat chain-smoking casino goers...

 

Thanks to everyone who posted their experiences and opinions on this matter. My hope was to find out what worked for those who didn't bother with the red tape as this was the direction I was leaning toward to begin with.

 

I'll be climbing this route some time during the week of 7/14 and will post my experience here in a TR.

 

 

[J_Fisher]

I'll add to the chorus: I did the route as you describe in August 98 with no permits and no problems. I left the car around 4:00 (if memory serves) and was at Sunrise by around, well, sunrise. Seemed pretty unlikely there would be any rangers wandering around that early.

[Stefan]

I will reiterate what many people have said. I have done the exact same route you speak of--car parked at Cold Springs, walked through Bird Meadows, up the Mazama......

 

I saw no one. I saw no signs. I paid no money. I had no worries.

 

I will say this. Bird Meadows was by far one of my top 3 meadows I have seen in this state. Spectacular.