Appalachia Parking

[Peppersass]

In two weeks, I’ll be taking the gkids for a night at Madison Spring Hut and hopefully a summit hike or two. What is the parking situation? We plan to be there at 8 am on a Wednesday. The shuttle isn’t an option right now. If the lot is full, do cars park on the street? I’d rather not, but don’t want to get there and find there’s no parking. (Did a search on this forum and didn’t find anything recent.)

 

[JToll]

You can either park on the road or go east a few hundred yards, turn right, go to Randolph East. From there you can take the Randolph Path to Valley Way.

 

[peakbagger]

Mid week it should not be a major issue. Its timing issue, 8 AM is bit early to get spots from folks staying at the hut heading down after breakfast. Dayhikers tend to fill in the slots from about 7 AM to 9:30 AM, the hut guests tend to head down Valley Way and get to the parking lot around 10 AM and then slots open up as the day progresses. That is the reason why in the evening after day hikers have headed home that there will be cars parked along RT2 well away from the parking lot while there are empty spaces in the actual lot.

If the lot is full the key is to park completely off RT2 preferably completely off the pavement. The gravel shoulder is quite wide. A short distance to the west, about 500 feet across from the tennis courts is a rough spot that will hold ten cars completely off of RT2.

Or you can do what the locals do and park over on Durand Road at the original trailhead for the trails up the Northern Presidentials at the Ravine House site. Its a short walk via the Beeline around the west end of Durand lake to Appalachia or across the dam by the pool and up by the Tennis Courts to Appalachia. There is short dirt road on the south side of Durand that is shaded by trees, makes a big difference in how hot your car gets while parked.

 

[DayTrip]

You can either park on the road or go east a few hundred yards, turn right, go to Randolph East. From there you can take the Randolph Path to Valley Way.

That is not the secret lot it used to be any more. It fills up pretty quick nowadays. Last 2 times I tried to park there it was full (and it was full yesterday). Although on a WED I'd think/hope it'd be fine.

 

[Peppersass]

Mid week it should not be a major issue. Its timing issue, 8 AM is bit early to get spots from folks staying at the hut heading down after breakfast. Dayhikers tend to fill in the slots from about 7 AM to 9:30 AM, the hut guests tend to head down Valley Way and get to the parking lot around 10 AM and then slots open up as the day progresses. That is the reason why in the evening after day hikers have headed home that there will be cars parked along RT2 well away from the parking lot while there are empty spaces in the actual lot.

If the lot is full the key is to park completely off RT2 preferably completely off the pavement. The gravel shoulder is quite wide. A short distance to the west, about 500 feet across from the tennis courts is a rough spot that will hold ten cars completely off of RT2.

Or you can do what the locals do and park over on Durand Road at the original trailhead for the trails up the Northern Presidentials at the Ravine House site. Its a short walk via the Beeline around the west end of Durand lake to Appalachia or across the dam by the pool and up by the Tennis Courts to Appalachia. There is short dirt road on the south side of Durand that is shaded by trees, makes a big difference in how hot your car gets while parked.

Thank you - we are going to shoot for 7:30. Although it’s a Wednesday, it will be a holiday week. Fourth of July.

 

[sierra]

During the week I wouldn't worry too much, you can park along the road and many do. The lot can fill up on weekdays. The suggestion to park at Randolph east isn't a terrible idea, I use that lot to change and take a break when passing through and I have never seen it full on a weekday.

 

[peakbagger]

Driving by this afternoon (Sunday), room in the parking lot but cars on the side of RT 2 to the west. There was one lone car to the east way down RT 2. My guess is it was hut guest who timed it poorly on Saturday (a great hiking day)

 

[Ear Drum]

My son and his group hiked Madison and Adams this past Saturday, parking at Appalachia. He said they had to park just a little ways down the road, and the lot was full when they got there about 8am. It was a perfect weather day.

As a side note, I'm pleased to say he didn't ask me for any help, advice or gear whatsoever. When this group of 8-9 did Monroe and Washington a year ago they were then just out of college, and I assisted my son with a lot of info etc. He also said this year he did 90% of the planning and logistics for the group. So nice to see your kid be able to go camping, do the planning, and safely achieve a big hike.

 

[peakbagger]

Don't you love it when a long term plan comes together Hopefully it is the start of long term hiking hobby (bordering on an obsession

 

[Peppersass]

It’s great when you can share your passion with those you love, and they “catch the bug.” For years we dragged our Tampa grandson to the huts. As he grew, so did his athleticism and appreciation for his trips to NH, a place unknown to most if not all of his friends. Two years ago he announced our next summer trip would include Mt Washington via LOC. He felt he was ready and he was. Definitely not the same kid who refused to budge halfway up middle Sugarloaf! This year it’s Adams, a hike I found more difficult. We are so proud and honored to have him hooked!

 

[Ear Drum]

Peppersass, that's wonderful!

 

[Ear Drum]

Don't you love it when a long term plan comes together Hopefully it is the start of long term hiking hobby (bordering on an obsession

He's an engineer, I've said to him, don't you want to design a better tent or something?