Question on northern Presis route

[NorthShore]

I'm going to hike tomorrow with my 15 year old son. We toyed with trying to get a bunk at Madison Springs, but are going to opt for a day hike.

A route I am toying with is Caps Ridge to Jefferson, Gulfside to Madison (with the Adams loop) then out on either Daniel Webster Scout or Osgood (my wife can drop us of at Jefferson Notch and then pick up at Rt 16 at the end of the day...Jefferson Notch will be a long drive, but the afternoon will be a short drive from Jackson area).

My son will love the scramble on Caps ridge and tomorrow sounds like the nicest day of the week above timberline. I think I'm most concerned about the hike out ...not sure about either of those routes.

I'd appreciate informed opinions on this traverse. My son is a strong hiker (although not fast) and I am thinking this is going to be a rather long day for a 10 miler.

We could scale this back, but the traverse on a nice summer day sounds like fun, so I guess I'm looking for some confirmation that it is a reasonable plan, unless I've missed something in which case we'll find a plan B.

Advice appreciated.

 

[DiamondRidge]

If you're looking for a fairly easy (relatively speaking) hike out, how about Valley Way off of Madison?

 

[dr_wu002]

I think I'm most concerned about the hike out ...not sure about either of those routes.

I'd appreciate informed opinions on this traverse. My son is a string hiker (although not fast) and I am thinking this is going to be a rather long day for a 10 miler.

We could scale this back, but the traverse on a nice summer day sounds like fun, so I guess I'm looking for some confirmation that it is a reasonable plan, unless I've missed something in which case we'll find a plan B.

Advice appreciated.

Daniel Webster Scout trail is wicked easy. At least it's easy going up -- I imagine down is easy too. Osgood Trail but is similar to Nelson Crag, Howker Ridge Tr in that is feels like and endless and slow-going down segment. Not that it's a bad trail -- great views but once you're below treeline it's a little tedious. Not dangerous or anything or even super hard but tedious.

-Dr. Wu

 

[erugs]

I second the Valley Way suggestion. You'll be ready for a reasonable "down" at that point. My son loved the Caps Ridge Trail -- he was about the same age as your son when he did it with me. Have a great time.

 

[nartreb]

Most of the trails off Madison (outside King ravine) are pretty similar in terms of effort, though Valley Way is probably the gentlest and shortest. The hardest, I think, is Watson Path, which has a steep rooty section you might prefer to avoid at the end of a long day. If you're looking to maximize time above treeline, Osgood is your first choice, Howker or Air Line second.

If you do decide to go down Valley Way, definitely consider bearing right about halfway down and taking Brookside to the parking lot - much more scenic, usually less crowded. (But also likely to be slightly wet and slippery, so avoid if you're dangerously tired.)

 

[peakbagger]

Its a long day to do the traverse, with a very high percentage of rock hopping versus woods walking. If you add in Osgood trail out to the great gulf, I think your mileage may be a bit low. Obviously bring sunblock and use it as there isnt much shade. There is a lot to be said for having your hike end at Appalachia, there are several options down the mountain in case you want or need to cut the hike short. If you double back from madison and pick up the Airline, there is still another good stretch above treeline. Valley way is good for an esacape route, but boy its gets real tedious to me during summer conditions. One other route to consider is Pine Link instead of the entire Daniel Webster Scout trail, as its somewhat shorter and ends at a hgiher elevation.

 

[NeoAkela]

I did a nice loop up there last week and finally headed down the Osgood trail as it was getting towards dusk. (Much, much better than the Madison Gulf trail going up!) Beautiful colors as the setting sun lit up the Carters across the way, and the shadows across the ridge were amazing to see. Fairly easy footing for the most part (for a N Presi trail, that is) and long views above treeline, which is a plus since I am always saddened by that final plunge into the forest after a day playing above the trees. I'd certainly recommend this route.

However, Appalachia has it's definite advantages, especially the multiple bailout routes. Durand Ridge has amazing views, and on a good day you could add a descent through King Ravine and the Subway to complete the Presi experience. Or past the multiple waterfalls for cooling off....

Guess I'm not narrowing it down much!

 

[NorthShore]

Thanks to all. It looks like the consensus is Valley Way and we are planning to go with that recommendation. I had my son read the posts and look at the map too and he's good with Valley Way. In his words, "We'll be dead at by the end but its gonna be great".

I think "dead" might be too strong a term, but I know it'll be really nice to take the relatively easier way out, not to mention all the other options to Appalachia if necesary for some reason. There's also a lot of trails mentioned that we'll consider for future hikes.

The weather for Tuesday sounds great. The end of the week sounds real nice too, but much cooler with perhaps some morning rime on the rocks.

Ed

 

[una_dogger]

Daniel Webster Scout trail is wicked easy. At least it's easy going up -- I imagine down is easy too.

-Dr. Wu

I agree with you 100% -- nice rock/slab walking up above and sweet woods below...If I had car spot/ride opportunity I would take DWS over a standard route like Valley Way.

I have never taken Pine Link, but thanks for that recommendation, Peakbagger.

Have fun on your hike and be sure to post some pics and a report.

 

[NorthShore]

We're back now. We hiked rather slowly and opted out of Madison at the end; it'll still be there another day. We started on the Caps Ridge trail as planned and it was a great scramble over the caps as promised. At the first main outlook to the west we stopped on a rock so I could take out the camera and met 3 VFTT'ers who caught up with us. We exchanged names but I'm so bad that I've forgotten, athough I think one was "AVK".

After Jefferson and Adams we headed down Airline (which was awesome) then took upper Bruin to Valley Way. We toyed with moving over to Brookside, but stayed on VW, which turned out to be a good move because my deliberate hiker son finally found his stride and we ran (literally) most of the way down, which was a lot of fun but contrary to the goal of saving our knees. I'll post a trip report and some pics.

Thanks for the advice...we loved the route.

 

[RickB.]

It was nice to meet you and your son. Glad the hike worked out on this beautiful day.

 

[NorthShore]

I agree with you 100% -- nice rock/slab walking up above and sweet woods below...If I had car spot/ride opportunity I would take DWS over a standard route like Valley Way.

I have never taken Pine Link, but thanks for that recommendation, Peakbagger.

Have fun on your hike and be sure to post some pics and a report.

Thanks.

Report / pics here: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=31986