Mt. Adams in January

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 6 - Strenuous
Trip Leader(s): Ian Baker, Emma Shin, Alyssa Washington
Registration Type: Application
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UUN000001pwUP
Register By: 1/6/2026
Audience: Adults

Description: Join Emma and Ian for a winter day hike to Mt. Adams (5,797’). Weather depending, we hope to experience phenomenal 360 degree views during the extended above tree line section from Madison Spring Hut to the summit of Mt. Adams. Our hike will be an out-and-back hike with both ascent and descent primarily via the Valley Way Trail. Expect an approximately 8.5-mile hike with approximately 4,500’ of elevation gain at a moderate pace.
Participants must have considerable experience hiking strenuous 4,000 footers in the winter. In addition, participants must have experience hiking one or more of the following 4,000 footers in winter: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Eisenhower, Moosilauke, Lincoln, Lafayette, or the section of the Bonds between Bondcliff and Bond. Mt. Adams is NOT an appropriate first above tree line winter hike. A regular, rigorous cardio fitness regimen is also required.
Depending on weather conditions, be prepared for a strenuous 8-10 hour hike and potential winter conditions with cold, wind, ice, snow, and a strong possibility of breaking trail. Please be an experienced winter hiker in good physical condition, with full winter gear including winter boots, microspikes, snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, wind protection, face protection, rain gear, and multiple clothing layers.
Finally, the unpredictability of winter weather on the Northern Presidentials in January means that we have multiple backup plans in place for this hike. Our first backup plan is to hike on Sunday, January 11 instead. Should both days of the weekend prove unsuitable for an attempt on the Northern Presidentials (which is not unlikely early January), we will instead hike Liberty and Flume as an out-and-back hike.
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.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!