From Adams summit, Star Lake in the foreground
Mt Madison - 5367'
Madison is the northernmost peak in the northern Presidentials. It's also home to the AMC's oldest hut, Madison Springs, which is in the col between Madison and Adams. Just north of the hut is Star Lake, a shallow pond. East of the summit is the Great Gulf, a huge glacial cirque. There are several ridges that form Madison, Osgood Ridge from the east, Gordon from the north, and Howker from the northeast.
There are many routes to the summit of Madison. One of the most popular is the Valley Way (3.9 miles) to hut, then the Osgood trail to the summit. This is the easiest of the routes and most protected in times of bad weather. The Howker Ridge trail (4.4 miles) is wilder and less populated, climbing over several Howks along the way before linking up with the Osgood trail below the summit. The Watson Path (3.5 miles) is rough and difficult to follow in bad weather, but direct. The Osgood trail (4.9 miles) goes from Rt 16 up the long, exposed, spectacular Osgood Ridge.
Trailheads
- Appalachia - On Rt 2, approx one mile east of Lowe's Store. Access to Valley Way, Watson Path, and many other trails. A WMNF parking pass is not needed here.
- Randolph East - On the Pinkham B (Dolly Copp) road, just .2 miles from Rt 2. The trailhead for the Howker Ridge trail and Randolph Path requires a WMNF parking pass.
- Great Gulf - The Great Gulf trailhead gives access to the Osgood Ridge and Madison Gulf trails. It is 1.5 miles south of the intersection of the Dolly Copp Road and Rt 16, on the west side. A WMNF Parking Pass is required.
Additional Photos
- Map of Adams, Madison, and the northern trails
- Adams and Madison from Rt 16
- Madison and the hut from the Gateway
- Madison and Star Lake from Adams summit
- Close up of summit
- from Madison Springs Hut
- from Adams summit in late-summer
- another one from Adams summit in summer
- From Adams 4, with Durand Ridge
- From Howker Ridge
- From Adams with Durand Ridge
- From Star Lake
- From the north, with Airline
- With Adams, from Lookout Ledge
