Madison Gulf Trail

[sapblatt]

OK - why do I choose hikes with all the Caution warnings in the WMG if I am going to worry about them? More therapy is needed...

Anyone care to throw some beta my way on the Madison Gulf Trail? I have seen some pics, read a bit...how bad is it? I sometimes worry about handholds etc - I am not that tall...I know shorter people than me have done this trail, and I have heard a few people tell me that it is a bit over rated....just want some guage of what the ledge/slabs will be like? How long does that section go on for?

I would guess the only thing I have to compare it to would be the King Ravine headwall - which I think is a totally different kind of animal...

Any info appreciated - thanks!

 

[Gris]

Naw

Can't be that bad. Shizz did it on a hot day w/ a full pack & wicked haad-coah hangovah...

 

[TEO]

I think the WMG editors had a ton of fun writing up these scary-sounding trail descriptions, each trying to out-do the other. The MG Trail is beautiful and not bad at all.

The polar opposite to the WMG's hyperbole is the understatedness of the description of the long-lost Bear Pond Trail. If you can find an old GMC guidebook, it says, "the steepest half-mile of trail in Vermont." That's pretty much the extent of it. This for a trail that was closed after a couple of people fell to their deaths.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I did it with Dave Metsky in 2001, see his trip report. There are a couple of "interesting" scrambles, but no big deal.

I believe that the WMG flags all hikes that involve anything more than putting one foot in front of (and above!!) the other. Another description that scared me off a trail for several years was the Star Lake Trail to the summit of Adams; even though I am very afraid of exposure it has become my favorite route to that summit.

 

[DougPaul]

I sometimes worry about handholds etc - I am not that tall...I know shorter people than me have done this trail,

Just for the record, height is not always an advange for using handholds. If they are close to the footholds, a shorter person will find the balance better.

Doug

 

[sapblatt]

Can't be that bad. Shizz did it on a hot day w/ a full pack & wicked haad-coah hangovah...

and probably a case of beer too!

 

[sapblatt]

Thanks for all the quick info -
Mohamed - I did see that report - and the pic of you going up the slab is what got me going (in addition to the WMG)...I keep looking at that pic and wondering how long it goes on like that - the mind is a terrible thing! I figure it must go on like that for a mile!

Thanks again!

 

[SherpaKroto]

Echoing what others have said, it's not real scary. There are a few spots that give pause, but planning each little section before grabbing on is all that is needed.

This is another of those "real ugly, everyone should stay away" spots

 

[drewski]

have you learned how to put your crampons on yet??? if not stay away from madison gulf trail...

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Mohamed - I did see that report - and the pic of you going up the slab is what got me going (in addition to the WMG)...I keep looking at that pic and wondering how long it goes on like that - the mind is a terrible thing! I figure it must go on like that for a mile!

More like a hundred feet than a mile

In fact, probably less. I recall it was three or four uncomfortable (not really scary) moves. Dave had no problem whatsoever with it.

 

[dr_wu002]

Mike, lemme know when yer going. I'm interested in this one. I'll keep ya safe!

-Dr. Wu

 

[TMax]

As a short person and having done that trail solo, I too didn't think it was too bad. Just needed to pay attention to the moves. However, I do clearly remember making the decision that if I went up one of those slabby scrambles, I would not be coming back down that way. So I had to look at the clock, the weather, and how I was feeling (in order to judge if I wanted to do the big loop I had planned) before committing to that slab!! I did it and it was fine (but it felt like more than 100 feet to me )