Jefferson/Admas/Madison from Apppalachia?

[JustJoe]

I've been waiting since December to get these 3 done for my WNH48. Because of weather, work or other commitments it's been tough to get them. It looks like Tuesday and Wednesday the weather gods will be napping. I can probably do both days but would prefer one. I know people have done it in the past but have seen nothing on boards of it being done this year. That's, all 3 from Appalachia. Looking at the map, it looks like starting at Appalachia and working my west, Airline, Shortline, Randolph to Jefferson first. Then Gulfside to Adams and so on. The big question (other than can I do these miles and elev. gain), is what might I find between Appalachia and Gulfside? Totally unbroken in areas making this a tough route?

So, should I try this and hope conditions are good enough to use this route for the 3. Or play it safe and do it 2 hikes. Jefferson via Jewell, Madams via Valley?

All thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[blacknblue]

Not this year, but I've done this trifecta in wintertime from Appalachia going Madison - Adams - Jefferson. Ascent via Valley Way to do the standard Madison/Adams pairing. The weather was iffy, but when I got to Thunderstorm Jct, rather than descend down Spur, I went for it. The hardest part was routefinding while descending from Edmunds Col along the Gray Knob Trail. I lost the trail and wound up descending to the Perch, then over to the Quay, and down Lowes to the Log Cabin. There was a small section not broken out on the Randolph Path b/t the Log Cabin and Amphibrach, but at least I was descending at that point.

Not sure exactly why I chose that route instead of a more direct descent down Hincks (which is usually well broken out, too), but it worked. More importantly, the trail breaking was on the descent, whereas going up Valley Way, you can count on it being already broken out unless it just snowed. The only section that might be of concern -- routefinding / trailbreaking wise -- is between Gray Knob and Edmunds Col.

 

[RoySwkr]

I would go to Mad & Ad first, add Jef if you're still feeling good

I would say the best way down is Randolph Path from Edmands Col, if you are running late hang a L on Lowes Path to road and you can hitch/roadwalk/hike snowmobile trail in the dark back to App

 

[sierra]

I would go to Mad & Ad first, add Jef if you're still feeling good

I would say the best way down is Randolph Path from Edmands Col, if you are running late hang a L on Lowes Path to road and you can hitch/roadwalk/hike snowmobile trail in the dark back to App

If I was doing the three, I would jeff first then adams and madison, main reason, if your short on daylight the valley way can be done by headlamp and its well tracked out an easy to follow, the randolph path you never know.