Madison & Adams

[Unregistered]

Valley Way slick about a half hour into the hike and beyond due to ice or packed snow. No problem but after Upper Bruin I put on the microspikes and went faster and easier to the hut. Took them off going to Madison and then over to Adams. On Madison it was simple rock hopping but on Skyline to Adams there was enough snow and (at the time) little enough traffic that every so often my feet would miss a flat rock and slide into a hole. Having a pole helped to avoid problems. Much less of that from Thunderstorm Jct. back to Skyline. Skyline on the ridge was easy, but below treeline I eventually put the microspikes back on and they were very nice going downhill on the icy steep sections until hitting the leafy muddy areas when I removed them. The mighty tough little dog had no problems with his four paw claw drive even on the snowy boulders. We met a very nice Lab mix, Cora, that also did well with only one face plant while we were with her and her companion.

One oddity. The Gulfside trail had yellow, not white, paint on it in this section. Isn't it part of the AT? My guess is the Skyline on Adams is relatively easy to follow since a group went up it after we did assuming they kept on the trail. Two young women just went up Adams from the hut over the boulder field, and being happy free spirits in good shape they didn't mind the extra work or time, but most people won't want to follow their footsteps.

It was a winter like hike until the end down low when it became fall, but it was a beautiful one in light winds. What a contrast with last week's boogie over the Willey Range in the rain.