botany in the Northern Presidentials

[arghman]

still another 2-3 months away, but I'm planning a trip to Madison Hut and trying to pick some good meandering routes just above treeline. Looking either for scrubby areas (blueberry, Labrador tea, crowberry) or areas with diapensia. I find felsenmeer rather boring & would actually skip Adams and Madison if they weren't on the 4000' list.

After poring over the WM Guide & Brad Washburn's map, here's my plan so far, if anyone has suggestions please let me know. (If you're willing to share specific areas w/ good alpine wildflowers, please *don't* post them here, PM me privately.) I will probably be doing this on a weekday and spur-of-the-moment after paying careful attention to the weather forecast.

day 1:
Howker Ridge Trail -> junction with Pine Link Trail
Pine Link Trail west to Madison Hut, drop off overnight gear
south to Star Lake
east along Parapet Trail to AT
up over Mt Madison back to hut
(about 7 mi but strenuous)

day 2:
Star Lake Trail to Mt Adams
Air Line Trail down to Gulfside Trail
Gulfside Trail to Edmands Col
Gray Knob Trail to Crag Camp
Spur Trail to Randolph Path
Randolph Path back to car
(about 10 miles)

 

[vtlukekultv]

i don't know much about the alpine ecology in the northern presidentials, but it's good to know that you'll be by madison this summer. i'm going to be working there, with the amc of course, and i'm looking forward to a good summer in the hills. i was told that they have the 'hillary step' of pack trails...goodie.

luke