Mount Madison sits at 5,367 feet (1,636 meters), making it the 5th highest peak in New Hampshire. It is the northern most mountain in the presidential traverse, and has various route options for summiting. The symmetrical rock covered and pointy peak of Madison stands out to many, making it a favorite among hikers. Mount Adams rises about 400 feet above to the southwest.
Height:Â 5,367 feet (1,636 meters)
Distance: 7.6 Miles
Duration: 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain: 4,050 Feet
Difficulty: Difficult
Trail Map
Trails
Valley Way (Osgood Trail) -8.6 miles round trip – Elevation Gain: 4,100 feet (Teal)
Trailhead is located at the Appalachia Trailhead. This is often combined with Watson path to make for a Madison loop. This trail takes hikers past the Madison Spring Hut.
Valley Way, Watson Path -7.8 miles round trip – Elevation Gain: 4,050 feet (Yellow)
Trailhead is located at the Appalachia Trailhead. This is probably one of the shortest routes up Mount Madison, and is a perfect loop combonation with the Osgood/Valley Way trail down. The last 1.5 miles features heavy elevation gain.
Pine Link Trail – 7.6 miles round trip – Elevation Gain: 4,150 feet (Pink)
The trailhead is located on Dolly Copp Road. This trail features some views along the way, but is less common than Watson Path or Valley Way trail.
Directions
Appalachia Trailhead – Valley Way Trail
Pine Link Trail on Dolly Copp Road:
Trail Conditions
All of the trail options from the Appalachia Trailhead are well traveled, nicely marked, and covered in by the surround forest. About 1 mile from summit, hikers become exposed above treeline. The trail turns into large boulders making hiking more difficult. You are also exposed to the elements, so high winds, and rainy days, hikers need to be extremely cautions.
Winter Hiking
Mount Madison is stunning in the winter. It should not be taken lightly. Just like the rest of the presidentials, if the weather turns, hikers should turn around. The exposed summits experience extreme weathers, and the right equipment is necessary.
Weather Forecast
Gorham, NH
Overnight
Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday
A chance of rain showers between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then patchy fog between 3am and 5am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. South wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday
Rain showers and patchy fog before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 49. South wind 25 to 50 mph, with gusts as high as 65 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Thursday Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 35 to 60 mph, with gusts as high as 80 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Juneteenth
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Pictures
Picture by @laxfreak584
Picture by @laxfreak584
Max DesMarais is the founder of myoutdoorbasecamp.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, completed multiple ultra marathons, including the 100 mile Run Rabbit Run, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about
