Raymond
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I climbed Madiison Gulf Trail last Friday and saw a few red paint blazes, which reminded me of the few photos I’ve seen of the long-discontinued Adams Slide Trail, which also still has some red blazes on it.
Which started me wondering why the latter trail was abandoned. Were there any deaths on it? Lack of use? It doesn’t seem particularly dangerous from the photographs I’ve seen. On the other hand, I didn’t take any pictures of the worst places on Madison Gulf Trail, so the lack of photographic evidence may not mean anything.
How do the two trails compare, those of you who have climbed both?
For that matter, what about the other trails that climb out of Great Gulf? This was my first time ever hiking in Great Gulf, so now that I’ve lost my virginity, so to speak, I’m eager to try another.
The ‘‘White Mountain Guide’’ says that Madison Gulf Trail is one of the most difficult in the White Mountains, but Steve Smith’s ‘‘Wandering Through the White Mountains’’ says that its greatest vertical rise is only 950 feet over .7 mile, while Castle Ravine Trail (other side of the ridge, I know, but it’s a White Mountain trail, too) rises 1300 feet in .7 mile. Six Husbands and Huntington Ravine trails both rise 1400 feet over .8 mile.
Maybe Madison Gulf Trail was called out for its difficulty because people who don’t know any better are more likely to take it than other trails, thinking they can get to the hut easily that way.
Which started me wondering why the latter trail was abandoned. Were there any deaths on it? Lack of use? It doesn’t seem particularly dangerous from the photographs I’ve seen. On the other hand, I didn’t take any pictures of the worst places on Madison Gulf Trail, so the lack of photographic evidence may not mean anything.
How do the two trails compare, those of you who have climbed both?
For that matter, what about the other trails that climb out of Great Gulf? This was my first time ever hiking in Great Gulf, so now that I’ve lost my virginity, so to speak, I’m eager to try another.
The ‘‘White Mountain Guide’’ says that Madison Gulf Trail is one of the most difficult in the White Mountains, but Steve Smith’s ‘‘Wandering Through the White Mountains’’ says that its greatest vertical rise is only 950 feet over .7 mile, while Castle Ravine Trail (other side of the ridge, I know, but it’s a White Mountain trail, too) rises 1300 feet in .7 mile. Six Husbands and Huntington Ravine trails both rise 1400 feet over .8 mile.
Maybe Madison Gulf Trail was called out for its difficulty because people who don’t know any better are more likely to take it than other trails, thinking they can get to the hut easily that way.
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