Located just three major peaks north of Mt. Washington and the northern most peak of the Presidential Mountain Range in New Hampshire, Mt. Madison is 5,366ft. It is easily obtainable via various trails and roadways, particularly rt.16 north of Pinkham Notch and rt.2 west of Gorham. My original intention was to hike up the interesting sounding Daniel Webster Scout Trail running from Dolly Copp campground. As I drove up along rt.16 getting closer I strated to worry about parking at the campground. After several calls to the Dolly Copp site and the NH AMC, I chose instead to take the safer Great Gulf Trail. A small parking lot is located on rt.16 south just north of Pinkham Notch, and my mind was at ease due to the safe parking situation.
The Great Gulf Trail runs almost due west from the trailhead parking along rt.16 into the Great Gulf Wilderness. The Great Gulf basically being a huge basin on the east side of the northern Presidentials. It provides a nice route to the first slopes heading up to Mt. Madison and Mt. Adams (which is actually the 2nd highest peak in N.H.) I intend to take this same route to Mt. Adams in late August. I have not done too much hiking in the Presidentials, but the northern half seems to be the more majestic and mountainous.
The trail was beautiful as it first crossed a large suspension bridge over the Peabody river and then followed the river at a good grade for about 2 miles.
At 2.3 miles the trail passed by the Osgood Tentsite, a pay site that you need a reservation to stay spring through fall. After the tentsite the going got considerably tougher as the trail met with the Osgood Trail (the Appalachian Trail) and continued up the slope toward the tree line. After some tough climbing I reached the first ledge and was awarded with this nice shot of what I think may be a vulture of some kind. I will update this blog and find out for sure.
Where that bird sits, the trail became exposed revealing stunning views of Mt. Washington and the northern presidentials though covered a bit in the morning fog.
On the way up I wold by a hiker coming down to beware of "false peaks" on the way up to Madison. He had said that he had been fooled by two particular "false peaks". I have heard of these so called "false peaks" and even have experienced them a few times. Two that come to memory are Mt. Webster and Mt Washington. I am not a firm believer in them, and was proved right by the fact that since the hiker warned me of them I should be expecting them, therefore robbing them of their surprise. I experienced what he was talking about and snapped a shot of maybe what one would call "false peaks".
"False peaks" and all, there was no doubt when I got to the summit of Mt. Madison. With majestic views of the surrounding peaks and a view of Madison Spring Hut and Star Lake, Mt. Madison is a relatively easy hike up and well worth it.
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