Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison Loop

This hike is gorgeous.  From Rt. 2 just west of Gorham, NH the Appalachia parking lot serves as a trailhead for numerous AMC and RMC trails.  I decided to take a less busy route to Mt. Adams and did the Airline trail instead of the more popular Valley Way.  Airline was wonderful, starting in dense forest before climbing to the Alpine zone via Druand Ridge.  The last .5 miles to the summit takes you bouldering and scampering up human sized boulders while gaining a 1,000ft in elevation.  The hike to the top isn't too far but the elevation gain is present throughout. 

Mt. Madison lies about 1 mile from Mt. Adams and taking the cut-off to the Madison Hut it is a mile to the summit.  Wonderful views of the Presidentials and Mt. Adams and Mt. Washington with Wildcat Ski Area on clear days.  From Mt. Madison I took the Watson Path down which connects to Valley Way about 1.5 miles down.  This is a steep downhill and precarious in wet conditions.  Once it connects to Valley Way trail it is smooth sailing along Snyder Brook back to the Appalchia Trail head. 

Wonderful hike with great views on clear days.  The weather can change though, took my about 8 hours with stops on both summits for lunch and pictures. 

TO TRAILHEAD: From south take Rt. 16 (Spaulding Turnpike) north to Gorham. Connect to Rt. 2 and the Trailhead is on the left just a ways down the road.