Today I lead a hike up Mt. Adams Fire Tower.  This is one of the harder fire towers to go up.  It starts off on the east river trail, which is quite pleasant for the first mile.  Then you come to the observer's cabin and the trail which is where the trail starts to climb.  It starts easy and then the last mile is just like a high peak with steep slabs and eroded trail for most of the last mile up.  It's a lot of work, but it is soooo worth it.  We had the perfect day for the hike.  Slight chill at the base, but the hike in took care of that.  Sunny and clear skies when we got up the tower.  Took a few minutes at the top to identify the peaks and an impromptu quick how to use a compass tutorial.  Unfortunately, what I predicted came to pass.  The rain earlier in the week took most the leaves down and the trail was covered the whole way up.  Still, great day to be hiking.

Year to date, 277 miles over 186 hours and 13.11 miles of elevation.