20s and 30s Adams and Madison

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Ian Baker, Meredith Kraner
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX00000152rp
Register By: 8/11/2026
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a strenuous hike to Mt. Adams (5,797’) and Mt. Madison (5,363’), the second-tallest and fifth-tallest of the four thousand footers. We will ascend Mt. Adams via the Air Line Trail, take a break at Madison Spring Hut, ascend Mt. Madison via the Osgood Trail, and then descend back to the trailhead via the Valley Way Trail. Expect an approximately 8.6-mile loop hike with approximately 5,000’ of elevation gain on rough, steep terrain at a moderate pace.
Both Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison feature amazing views, but this comes with challenge. This hike involves multiple hours of hiking above tree line, where our group will be fully exposed to wind, sun, rain, and whatever else the weather chooses to give us. This is all on top of the inherently strenuous nature of ascending 5,000 vertical feet in a day. This will be an all day effort and we will strive to stick to moderate pace (1.5 - 2 mph).
Participants must have experience on other similarly strenuous four thousand footers in New Hampshire this summer and must maintain a regular, robust cardio fitness regimen. This must not be your first hike in the Whites this summer (or ever).
To address unforeseen challenges such as adverse weather, unacceptable trail conditions or excessive crowding, the planned trip destination, activity and/or meeting place and time may be modified. In that event, participants may elect to join in that activity or opt out. We will hold Sunday, August 16 a backup date for this hike if weather conditions prohibit us from hiking on August 15.
Do not hesitate to sign up if you don't have a car! Leaders will share a carpooling sign-up sheet with approved participants approximately 1 week prior to the hike. While we cannot guarantee transportation, we are generally pretty good at facilitating rides for participants who do not have a vehicle.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!