Madison and Adams Day Hike - NH Trip Day 3

In June, Brian and I spent 3 days hiking in the White Mountains.  On our third day, a glorious day to be hiking, we climbed Mt. Madison and Mt. Adams, bringing our total summits climbed for the weekend to three.

Links and Stats

• Photos: album (for all 3 hike days) on Flickr
• Strava: map, route, and stats
• Trails: Brookside and Watson Path up, Airline down
• Trailhead: Gorham Hill Road
• Distance: 11 miles
• Elevation: 1300 to 5600 ft
• Hiking time: 8 hrs
• Weather: Spectacular
• Conditions: Trails were great.. Steep and rocky in places, but not unusually so

Journal

We hoped to knock out two peaks on this trail, but after having to cut our loop short on day 1, and not making it to the top of Isolation in favor of staying alive on day 2, we figured we'd be happy to get one. But the weather was sunny and dry, finally, so our odds seemed good.

When we got to the trailhead, we realized that everyone and their dog had done the same math. The cars parked to use the trailhead stretched for half a mile alongside the highway. Ugh.

We got going and took, as usual, the Paths Not So Frequently Chosen. The ascent was spectacular. We followed a stream loaded with waterfalls for a few hours, then hit the ridiculously steep part opening up to a great view, after which we climbed more up and more up, grabbed lunch when we found a shady spot out of the wind, and then summited Madison. We barely saw anyone until we got to the top.

From Madison, we dropped down to the hut on the saddle between the two peaks, which had tons and tons of people hanging out. We grabbed a bit more food, water, and then headed up Adams, knowing we still had a pretty long day ahead of us.

We went up the back side of the mountain, which again was fairly unpopulated until we got the top. The view from up there is just spectacular. Washington right next door, and peaks as far as you can see.

We took Airline down, which, by that time of day, was also quiet. On our way up, we passed a few of the kids who work the hut for the summer, hauling up enormous amounts of supplies for cooking and selling. I have no idea how they do it.. And one of the kids seemed to feel similarly. Hope he made it.

The trail down was fantastic. Views for most of the way, then quiet, open woods for the rest. We got back to the car tired and drained. What an amazing hike, what a gorgeous day.