Madison-Adams, a variation on the classic loop

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Excellent forecast for today, and I was feeling reasonably fit in the morning, so I decided to attempt something in the northern Presidentials. Since I had only done the Watson Path and Star Lake Trail once each (not together) I thought of trying a genuine loop over Madison and Adams with no backtracking. Up the Valley Way to the Watson Path, then Watson Path to summit of Madison. Down to hut by Osgood, then up Adams by Star Lake. Finally down by Airline all the way to the car.

I remembered that the Watson Path is steep and has bad footing, and also that the Star Lake trail is steep. But still I wanted to try and see how I would do.

I almost did not take the Watson Path; the sound of Snyder Brook as I was deciding what to do at the junction suggested that the crossing might be difficult. I decided to take a chance, and the crossing was easy. It was, come to think of it, the only easy thing about the trail Below treeline the trail has no redeeming value; it is steep, rocky, rooty and overgrown. Following yesterday's thunderstorms the trees were wet, and I got several "car washes" on my way up.

The Watson Path reaches treeline at around 4,300 feet, so there are 500 extra feet of above treeline views. On a beautiful day like today this section compensated me for the unpleasantness of the lower part.

The Star Lake Trail starts out pretty flat, but soon gets steep. The footing, however, is good almost everywhere, so it is just an arobic exercise. Near the summit there are a few places where hands are really needed for pulling, not just for balance. I suppose that is why the WMG describes the trail as " ... tackles some fairly challenging rock scrambles on the steep section just below the summit ridge".

The descent by the Airline was much harder than you might expect, as by now I was pretty tired; 5,000 feet of elevation gain in two pitches is a bit more than I can comfortably do these days.

All in all, a very enjoyable day!

 

[bubba]

So, I envy you being able to get out on a nice day and select a hike. This work a day world really sucks!!

Well, having now done these two mountains... I can better understand the hike. Pretty aggressive for a day in the mtns., but any loop is always fun!! The Star Lake route sounds rough. This is the second or third time I've heard that Airline is a bit tough. It looks like it's open and fairly gradual on the topo.

Enjoy your free time!!

 

[arghman]

star lake tr rules! A refuge of ledges in that evil sea of boulders known as the northern presi's.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

star lake tr rules! A refuge of ledges in that evil sea of boulders known as the northern presi's.

Interesting point! In spite of its steepness I found it easier than the rockhops on the usual trails to the summit of Adams (Airline or Lowe's Path). There is a lot of talus, but it is smaller and much more hiker friendly. The same can be said for most of the section of the Watson Path above treeline. I think it is steeper than the Osgood Trail from the hut, but the talus is much easier to walk on.

If you want some really awful talus scrambling try the section of the Pine Link Trail between the Watson Path and the hut That cured me of any thoughts of redlining the northern Presis; the Parapet Trail is said to be just as bad.

 

[JohnL]

Nice choice of a loop, Mohamed. I’ve done this loop a couple times and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, the below treeline section of the Watson Path had the opposite effect on me. I loved the primeval feel and the rough, overgrown nature of the path. I did it both times on sunny dry days so I’m sure that was a contributing factor in our differences. The Star Lake Trail is another gem. I like the sure footing on the blocks as opposed to the gaping holes waiting to eat your ankles on the top section of Air Line. And you’re right about Air Line; it seems to go on forever at the end of a hard day.

JohnL

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Below treeline the trail has no redeeming value; it is steep, rocky, rooty and overgrown.

However, the below treeline section of the Watson Path had the opposite effect on me. I loved the primeval feel and the rough, overgrown nature of the path.

De gustibus ...

JohnL may have a point, it certainly feels primeval, and on a dryer day I might have appreciated it. But it definitely is hard going.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Mohamed -

Brutus the Newf cannot do the upper part of Airline (between Gulfside & the summit) due to the roughness, but can complete Adams if we take Gulfside to T-storm Jct and turn left from there. Hard to say whether that's the Isreal Path, Lowes, etc as they all converge anyway. But, I've discovered that not only does taking this route give you a chance to admire the rockwork in the trail, but it's easier on your body and only adds about 5 or 10 minutes to the trip. So, with or without Brutus, I now rarely hike that upper section unless there's heavy snow cover as in late March/early April.

Kevin

 

[Frodo]

Mohamed,

Awesome Tr! Sometimes taking the easiest route up a mountain(s) can be less rewarding...

Well done!

 

[sardog1]

Brutus the Newf cannot do the upper part of Airline (between Gulfside & the summit) due to the roughness, but can complete Adams if we take Gulfside to T-storm Jct and turn left from there.

Kevin,

It would be helpful for my planning to know -- was that a choice driven by his Newfiness or by his general dogginess? My current companion is 46 pounds of nimble, undersized Malinois. There were some situations in the past when my late GSD (75 pounds) would have had trouble, especially on downclimbs, that were less onerous for the little guy.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Kevin,

It would be helpful for my planning to know -- was that a choice driven by his Newfiness or by his general dogginess? My current companion is 46 pounds of nimble, undersized Malinois. There were some situations in the past when my late GSD (75 pounds) would have had trouble, especially on downclimbs, that were less onerous for the little guy.

Thanks for any info.

The rocks around Adams are probably the roughest in the Whites, and coupled with the fact that you mostly have to rockhop from one to another - with bad consequences if you slip - it's not a trail I'd ever recommend for large dogs. Having said that - there's a big difference between a 46 pound dog and a 146 pound dog. The impact of a 46 pound dog landing on its pads versus a 146 is substantial, although the thickness/toughness of the skin is about the same for either weight. The route up the Lowes has the same rock, but the gaps between them and grade is less on that side than on the north. Even so - taking a big (or more accurately - huge breed) dog up the cone of Adams is a bit sketchy except in late winter when it's nearly all snow covered.

As always, YMMV ...

 

[sardog1]

Thanks, guys, this was very helpful.