Choice of routes to Adams

[askus3]

I am planning a summer climb up Adams. From the junction of the Kings Ravine Trail & Great Gully Trail which is more exhilarating

(A) King Ravine Trail to the Gateway and then the Airline to the summit

or

(B) Great Gully Trail to Thunderstorm Junction and Lowe's Path to the summit?

Please explain your preference.

Thanks

I edited my post, just for the purpose of using this tool (poll) I found and thought I'd give it a shot. Thanks for assisting in my decision of ascending route.

 

[David Metsky]

Both are great routes. I prefer King Ravine since the headwall is more dramatic and classic. Great Gully is more scrub and scree filled. If I had to choose one, I'd go King Ravine.

I have done a loop going up KR and down GG. It's not that bad a trip down, but I wouldn't do the reverse.

-dave-

 

[bill bowden]

King Ravine route

Any route through King Ravine to the summit of Adams is a spectacular but difficult hike. The Subway, a section of boulder caves, and permanent ice ("Ice caves" )are both on King Ravine while the Great Gully offers an unusually untravelled trail with a grassy footpath rather than gravel. On the whole, I prefer the King Ravine Trail. Another strenuous route involves the third hike out of the ravine, the Chemin des Dames.
You could make quite a spectacular route out of King Ravine and Airline to summit, the Airline to Chemin Des Dames and out. The Airline section isn't particularly strenuous, but includes the closest to a knife edge ridge you'll find in the whites.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

If exhileration is the key factor, then King Ravine has more than Great Gully.

They create two different experiences. Great Gully is far more solitary, and doesn't present the spectacular views until you hit the lip of the headwall, which is not too far below T-storm Jct. On the other hand, it has it's own appeal - it's rarely taken, requires an interesting bouldering move (works best if you remove your pack due to cleareance) and passes by/thru an ethereal cascade which is surprisingly tall. If you want a solo hike without encountering many people, this is one. Not that King Ravine will be crowded, however.

 

[DougPaul]

You don't mention time of year. In winter, King Ravine headwall is subject to avalanche. Climbers have been "flushed" down the Great Gully. Don't know of incidents on the other trails out of the Ravine, but the risk is still there.

Doug

 

[David Metsky]

You don't mention time of year.

Actually, he did. He said "summer climb".

-dave-

 

[askus3]

Does anyone have especially good photos of my two choice routes? I am still undecided and probably will flip a coin on this one. But I am leaning towards the King Ravine ascent based on the early concensus.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

I see that you've expanded the question to include a poll.

FWIW - the Chemin Des Dame is a bit like apples and oranges. It's a comparatively short, intense climb out the bowl near the Subway, and it intersects Airline shortly above when Airline leaves treeline. Don't get me wrong - it's a great trail, and everyone should get the opportunity, but it's not in the same "class" as King Ravine or Great Gully.

 

[David Metsky]

King Ravine #1
King Ravine #2

I don't have any Great Gully trip reports, sorry.

-dave-

 

[Quietman]

Here are a few shots from my trip last August.


King Ravine

 

[kltilton]

My King Ravine photos from last July: http://community.webshots.com/album/390228706oApvOF

 

[jrbren]

The answer is clear to see. You need to do all three of them. I'm not kidding. Then you can compare and judge for yourself. IMHO, King Ravine trail is the best if you *must* limit to one. Then descend Lowe's path and be sure to stop by Crag Camp where you get a great view of what you went up.

Then for your next trip go up Great Gulley and descend Airline. Again getting a great view of what you went up.

Trip number 3 is go up Chemin de Dames, cut over to Madison and descend Howker Ridge. No view of your ascent this time but Howker is a great and tough trail, goes up & down a bit, on a 4000+ foot net ascent anyway.

Now we must discuss Castle Ravine someday

Hope this helps.

 

[JohnL]

I've never been up the Great Gulley Trail but here are some photos of my last hike up the King Ravine Trail. The photos are a bit dated (July 1989) but the mountain has stayed more constant than the two guys in the photos.

JohnL

 

[SherpaKroto]

King Ravine. A classic headwall climb with fantastic views.

 

[jfb]

I voted for the King Ravine Trail. It's kind of funny because when I hiked it a few years ago (on a hot August day), I intentionally started up the Great Gully trail and after a short while turned back and finished up the King Ravine trail but now I can't remember why. Some of the things I remember about the hike were how awful the water tasted when I filled a bottle at Mossy Fall and how the flies kept me from enjoying the summit. I descended via the Israel Ridge Trail and Randolph Path back to Appalachia.

 

[sapblatt]

I loved KR last fall and plan to go back and try Great Gully this year.
The views and steepness are amazing on KR...and do not miss the Subway...one of the best features of the Whites.

 

[HAMTERO]

We did King Ravine Ravine last Saturday.
Good conditions right now if the temps and winds abate some. Great Gully has some ice bulges and Cruddy said that "it would be stupid" so we didn't try that one. Some Canadians went partway up GG Friday but downclimbed when conditions got too bad with blowing snow.
King Ravine is an awesome place!

 

[bruno]

i've taken all three at one time or 'nother and they're all great for gettin' extra thrills. king ravine straight up has the best feelin' of exposure but great gully has it's moments too. and i like where you come out on great gulley just north of thunderstorm jct. i went down chemin des dames one time and there was this one girl who was freakin' OUT. that way is short and i suppose it'd be fun too. these are some of my all-time favorites. summer or winter. just hangin' out on the floor of the ravine and soakin' up the sun is great. and make sure ya go through the subway and check out the year-round ice.

 

[blacknblue]

Do all three! One day I started at Crag Camp, hiked down to the bottom of the King Ravine Trail, up the Headwall, down Great Gully, up Chemin des Dames, up Airline, and around to Crag Camp again. I don't think my knees have forgiven me yet.

King Ravine Trail is probably the most dramatic and exposed, with grand views of the ravine (and mountains to the north). That's the one I would do for the original ascent of King Ravine. Great Gully Trail has one really tricky section (esp. descending), but otherwise is just a steep climb through scrub. I think Chemin des Dames is my favorite in terms of fun scrambling over rocks and ledges, and then the trip up Airline is spectacular.

I wouldn't want to do any of them in bad weather, though, or with a heavy pack.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

I love 'em both, but I'd give the edge to Great Gully because the steep section is longer and less traveled. It also catches more sun in the morning, as I recall. Either route is a lot of fun and plenty strenuous. The hairy bit on Great Gully that the WMG describes is nothing, if you don't mind a short crawl.

Also, If you've done the Airline before, I suggest descending via Spur Trail and the Amphibrach with a stop by Knight's Castle. The Amphie is a particularly gentle way to end a long day.