BIGEarl
Well-known member
February 16, 2013: Adams & Madison
Trails: Valley Way, Gulfside Trail, Air Line Trail, Osgood Trail
Summits: Adams, Madison
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue), Peakbagger (Dennis), and me
We have been watching the weather reports and waiting for suitable conditions for a day above the treeline in the Northern Presidentials. We attempted this hike on our last hike day of last February with the intentions of finishing our February grid hiking on that day. The conditions were too severe once we reached the treeline and we were forced to turn around. Now we have nearly ideal conditions in the forecast and we’re taking another run at these final two peaks.
As planned, we met Peakbagger at the Appalachia trail head for an on-trail target of 7:30am. We all took care of our final hike prep, Peakbagger checked the early trail conditions and suggested we start on MICROSpikes due to the solid trail conditions. We also had snowshoes and crampons on our packs. We left the trailhead expecting to make a change in footwear at some point but didn’t know where that might be.
The lower part of Valley Way was very solid and the light traction did the job. We were able to hike along without causing any trail damage. Roughly half way to the Valley Way Tentsite we were passed by Bignslow (VFTT) and his hiking partner (sorry, I didn’t get the name). Yeah – he’s big but I wouldn’t call him slow. As we gained elevation the trail condition gradually changed. Above the Valley Way Tentsite the trail surface was much softer and we eventually made the change to snowshoes to avoid trail damage. We reached the Madison Spring Hut and headed south on Gulfside. Our plan was to summit #575 - Adams first and finish on Madison for #576. After we made our way through the small section of scrub near the hut we found the windblown, rocky trail conditions were better suited to light traction than snowshoes and changed back. Along the way to Adams we enjoyed views to the west and northwest that included a great amount of undercast. Once we made the turn onto Airline and started the final section leading to Adams, the cloud cover became pretty thick and we had limited visibility. Being able to follow the trail wasn’t a concern since we could always see the next cairn or two.
There is much less ice than I expected above the treeline. It’s important to watch your step since the areas between the rocks are soft. Some places seem to be bottomless. Stay on the rocks to avoid a problem, but the MICROSpikes take a beating. I have broken multiple sets of MICROSpikes on hikes to Adams. Slowly we made our way along Airline and eventually could see the signpost on the summit. Visibility wasn’t good as we approached the summit; we were probably within fifty yards of the summit before being able to see the signpost. Once we arrived to the summit of Adams the conditions opened up a little and we had some interesting undercast views to enjoy along with a very nice view to the summit of Washington poking through the clouds. I’ve been on Adams quite a few times and this is the only visit I recall that had no wind. The conditions were calm; quite a surprise. We got the summit pictures and started down to head back to the Madison Spring Hut and on to #576 – Madison.
From Adams to Madison we stayed with MICROSpikes and probably none of us even thought about making a change. We passed by the hut and started the final climb. Again there was limited ice, lots of big rocks, and the need to watch your step. We were in no hurry at all and maintained a very comfortable pace to the summit. One couple passed us on the climb. High on Madison as we approached the short ridge leading to the summit we started to experience some wind. It was very light but building. I knew the forecast predicted very high winds overnight but they weren’t expected to start ramping up until a couple hours after dark. We expected to be on the road south by then.
The three of us slowly made our way to the summit occasionally stopping for pictures along the way; first it was a couple of the large cairns, and then it was the signpost on the summit. Finally, we had #576 as Sue and I stood together on the high point of Madison. Peakbagger had the camera and snapped some pictures. The first pictures had me with an elevation advantage over Sue but that soon changed. A while earlier we met Hikerfred and his companions. Hikerfred pointed out it wasn’t official until we were back to the trailhead. He was right; we had only 4.2 miles to go – mostly downhill.
There wasn’t a great deal of wind but enough to make standing around for a long period of time uncomfortable. We wouldn’t have to give up much elevation to get below the wind and started our descent. When we reached Madison Spring Hut we retired the MICROSpikes and went with snowshoes for the remaining hike to the trailhead.
When the day started we had a terrific trail to hike. In the course of the day the trail took quite a beating. The three of us plus Hikerfred and his companions all did our exit hike on snowshoes and completed some grooming and repair on the way out. We couldn’t correct all of the damage done during the day but six sets of snowshoes made a step in the right direction.
Pretty much on plan we arrived back to the trailhead lot. Peakbagger packed up his things as Sue and I took care of ours. We all said our goodbyes and headed off in opposite directions.
Dennis, I’m really glad you were able to join the fun, you’re a pleasure to hike with.
As always, Thanks Sue.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Valley Way, Gulfside Trail, Air Line Trail, Osgood Trail
Summits: Adams, Madison
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue), Peakbagger (Dennis), and me
We have been watching the weather reports and waiting for suitable conditions for a day above the treeline in the Northern Presidentials. We attempted this hike on our last hike day of last February with the intentions of finishing our February grid hiking on that day. The conditions were too severe once we reached the treeline and we were forced to turn around. Now we have nearly ideal conditions in the forecast and we’re taking another run at these final two peaks.
As planned, we met Peakbagger at the Appalachia trail head for an on-trail target of 7:30am. We all took care of our final hike prep, Peakbagger checked the early trail conditions and suggested we start on MICROSpikes due to the solid trail conditions. We also had snowshoes and crampons on our packs. We left the trailhead expecting to make a change in footwear at some point but didn’t know where that might be.
The lower part of Valley Way was very solid and the light traction did the job. We were able to hike along without causing any trail damage. Roughly half way to the Valley Way Tentsite we were passed by Bignslow (VFTT) and his hiking partner (sorry, I didn’t get the name). Yeah – he’s big but I wouldn’t call him slow. As we gained elevation the trail condition gradually changed. Above the Valley Way Tentsite the trail surface was much softer and we eventually made the change to snowshoes to avoid trail damage. We reached the Madison Spring Hut and headed south on Gulfside. Our plan was to summit #575 - Adams first and finish on Madison for #576. After we made our way through the small section of scrub near the hut we found the windblown, rocky trail conditions were better suited to light traction than snowshoes and changed back. Along the way to Adams we enjoyed views to the west and northwest that included a great amount of undercast. Once we made the turn onto Airline and started the final section leading to Adams, the cloud cover became pretty thick and we had limited visibility. Being able to follow the trail wasn’t a concern since we could always see the next cairn or two.
There is much less ice than I expected above the treeline. It’s important to watch your step since the areas between the rocks are soft. Some places seem to be bottomless. Stay on the rocks to avoid a problem, but the MICROSpikes take a beating. I have broken multiple sets of MICROSpikes on hikes to Adams. Slowly we made our way along Airline and eventually could see the signpost on the summit. Visibility wasn’t good as we approached the summit; we were probably within fifty yards of the summit before being able to see the signpost. Once we arrived to the summit of Adams the conditions opened up a little and we had some interesting undercast views to enjoy along with a very nice view to the summit of Washington poking through the clouds. I’ve been on Adams quite a few times and this is the only visit I recall that had no wind. The conditions were calm; quite a surprise. We got the summit pictures and started down to head back to the Madison Spring Hut and on to #576 – Madison.
From Adams to Madison we stayed with MICROSpikes and probably none of us even thought about making a change. We passed by the hut and started the final climb. Again there was limited ice, lots of big rocks, and the need to watch your step. We were in no hurry at all and maintained a very comfortable pace to the summit. One couple passed us on the climb. High on Madison as we approached the short ridge leading to the summit we started to experience some wind. It was very light but building. I knew the forecast predicted very high winds overnight but they weren’t expected to start ramping up until a couple hours after dark. We expected to be on the road south by then.
The three of us slowly made our way to the summit occasionally stopping for pictures along the way; first it was a couple of the large cairns, and then it was the signpost on the summit. Finally, we had #576 as Sue and I stood together on the high point of Madison. Peakbagger had the camera and snapped some pictures. The first pictures had me with an elevation advantage over Sue but that soon changed. A while earlier we met Hikerfred and his companions. Hikerfred pointed out it wasn’t official until we were back to the trailhead. He was right; we had only 4.2 miles to go – mostly downhill.
There wasn’t a great deal of wind but enough to make standing around for a long period of time uncomfortable. We wouldn’t have to give up much elevation to get below the wind and started our descent. When we reached Madison Spring Hut we retired the MICROSpikes and went with snowshoes for the remaining hike to the trailhead.
When the day started we had a terrific trail to hike. In the course of the day the trail took quite a beating. The three of us plus Hikerfred and his companions all did our exit hike on snowshoes and completed some grooming and repair on the way out. We couldn’t correct all of the damage done during the day but six sets of snowshoes made a step in the right direction.
Pretty much on plan we arrived back to the trailhead lot. Peakbagger packed up his things as Sue and I took care of ours. We all said our goodbyes and headed off in opposite directions.
Dennis, I’m really glad you were able to join the fun, you’re a pleasure to hike with.
As always, Thanks Sue.
Pictures will follow.
