Summit: Mount Madison (5,367')
Trail route: Lowe's Path, King Ravine, Chemin Des Dames, Airline, Airline Cutoff, Osgood Trail, Valley Way
Trail conditions: A variety of dry, wet and muddy
Weather: Warm, humid, sunshine to start, cool and breezy on the summit, warm on the way down
Total miles: 9.5
Total time: 8:20
The Fourth of July and I would be hiking to one of the Presidential summits, Mount Madison. I would be starting my hike with Robin, Jill, Amy, Jim, Scott and Lisa. Robin needed one of the Adams summits so they would be going straight up King Ravine. I would be cutting off on a side trail from the bottom of the ravine and heading over to solo hike Madison.
It was a warm and humid start on Lowe's Path. Once we got on the King Ravine Trail the air seemed cooler. There were some water crossings to get through with one a little tricky due to recent rain. Both Canyon and Mossy Falls were spectacular.
Just past Mossy Fall the trail went up over ledges and boulders to the floor of the ravine. There is an incredible view around the ravine with spectacular waterfalls coming down over the steep walls of the ravine. We arrived at the trail junction and I turned left onto the Chemin Des Dames Trail and on to my solo hike up Mount Madison. It was a very steep climb out of the ravine!
It was a short hike along Airline to the Airline Cutoff over to Madison Hut. When I arrived at the hut I saw a nice spot in the shade and took a break. I cooled off and had something to eat before climbing Madison. I felt refreshed after my break and started my climb to the summit as many hikers were coming down.
At the summit of Mount Madison I enjoyed a cool breeze almost requiring a long sleeve layer. There many hikers basking on the summit, it was a great afternoon for that. I wasn't staying long and soon began my descent. On the way down I could see a wedding about to be performed over at Star Lake. When I reached the hut I just kept going down on the Valley Way trail.
It is 3.8 miles to the Appalachia parking lot from Madison Hut. The top section of trail was very wet and required cautious footing to prevent any unwanted slipping. This made my pace very slow but it was worth it and I moved on down the trail and back to the parking lot without slipping or falling.
I thought my fellow hikers that I started the hike with would be out before me but they did 12 miles to my 9.5 miles. I waited and they came out an hour and a half after I did. We all had a very adventurous hike this Independence Day!
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Mount Madison on my drive to the hike
The hike starts here
Single file on Lowe's Path
Amy and Robing thinking about the hike ahead of us
A very gnarly tree
Gnarly burl
Lisa and Jim on one of several water crossings
Recent rain created spectacular waterfalls
Amy and Jill on another water crossing
Lisa about to get her boots wet
Amy finds a dry way across this swollen brook
Blue bead lily
Recent rain creates beautiful waterfalls
First view of King Ravine
Passing between large boulders
View from King Ravine Trail
Trail junction from the floor of the ravine
King Ravine
Waterfall coming down the wall of the ravine
Parting ways
I'm going this way
Labrador tea
A look back
Looking down
Back into some shade while climbing out of the ravine
Alpine azaleas
A tight squeeze so the pack comes off
Almost out of the ravine
Mountain sandwort
On Airline
The top of King Ravine
Looking up at Adams
On my way to Madison Hut
Madison Hut
Labrador tea
View of Mount Washington as I ascend Mount Madison
Almost at the summit
Mount Washington from Mount Madison summit
Mount Adams
Northern view
The Wildcats
Descending Madison
Wedding about to be performed at Star Lake
Descending Valley Way
View from Valley Way
Last view at treeline
Large blowdown
Snyder Brook
Almost out
Back at the trailhead
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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