Another Whites question (urgent!)

[A-Train]

Howdy all,

My folks are about to leave for their Whites extravaganza. One last question (everyone was so helpful last time!): is there an easier/shorter route up to Madison Hut from the Pinkham area? I see the Madison Gulf and Osgood Trails head up there. Is the AT the best route for 2 out of shape hikers? I'm a bit worried about it being a long day for them from Pinkham/Joe Dodge.

[warraghiyagey]

I gotta refer to the map which isn't right in front of me, but the Osgood trail is quite a bit longer. The Croo at Madison uses a much shorter trail, probably Madison Gulf trail.

[Homer&Marje]

I think the Osgood trail is a little longer, madison gulf looks much steeper however, i'd rather have the extra distance... but if you drive north on 16 you can go in the Daniel webster trail, some steep parts but much shorter distance.

[Homer&Marje]

As reference I was wrong, I looked at the elevation chart for the area, once you get to Madison Gulf trail it's 5 miles with 2800 in elevation gain to Madison hut. Osgood trail is 3 3/4 mile (once you get to it) to Madison hut with 3700 ft of elevation change. The Daniel webster trail is 3 1/2 miles with 4000 in elevation change... so your choice, either way have fun, I just got back from Pemigewasset in the Whites, good times, happy trails.

[A-Train]

Cool, thanks Warghey and Homer and Marje.

Was looking at the Daniel Webster trail. Looks much shorter from rt 16. Anyone know how the views and difficulty compare with the AT (Osgood)? What about the Great Gulf/Osgood trail before Osgood Tensite?

[Homer&Marje]

Trail description for Daniel Webster Trail states that it is a steep rocky trail above the treeline for a lot of it, avoid it in bad weather... so good views if you are at 3500 and no trees

Osgood AT piece is a ridgewalk a little steep to get there and moderate afterwards, again good views all the way to Madison but avoid in bad weather because it's very exposed, then again your always pretty exposed at those heights in the whites. Hope that helps.

[The Old Fhart]

I've done the Daniel Webster trail from Dolly Copp Campground a few times and it seems much longer than it is! Unless they actually want to go up directly from Pinkham, I'd suggest taking the shuttle from Pinkham to Appalachia (L-8AM, A-8:30AM) and going up either the Valley Way (4.2) or the Airline Trail(3.7) to Madison Hut. The Valley way is very protected and no views until you are at the hut while the Airline stays near the top of Durand Ridge and has great views but is exposed in bad weather.

Oh, Daniel Webster is 4.5 to the hut, not 3.5.

[burger]

I don't know about the others, but I would avoid the Madison Gulf trail. We were thinking about that as a shortcut down from Madison Hut to Pinkham, but the AMC White Mountain Guide described it as one of the steepest and most difficult trails in the Whites, with some treacherous spots. The description was scary enough that even thru-hikers were dissuaded.

[Blissful]

Probably the AT route is the best from what I have read, but it's tough no matter which way you go. Have them leave early, take it easy and just enjoy. And use poles.

[A-Train]

Probably the AT route is the best from what I have read, but it's tough no matter which way you go. Have them leave early, take it easy and just enjoy. And use poles.

Yes this is the advice I've given them. I keep STRESSING getting an early start, not farting around the huts in the morning after breakfast, which is easy to do.

Thanks to all for the quick info, especially Fhart.

[gravityman]

Route Distance Elevation Gain Book Time
To hut by Great Gulf and Osgood Trails 5.6 4,050 4:50
To hut by AT from Pinkham 7.7 4,050 5:50
From hut by Osgood and Great Gulf Trails 5.6 550 3:05
From hut by AT to Pinkham 7.7 1,100 4:25

From http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/madison-hut.html


Looks like from booktime, Osgood is shortest time.

Airline

[Marta]

... Unless they actually want to go up directly from Pinkham, I'd suggest taking the shuttle from Pinkham to Appalachia (L-8AM, A-8:30AM) and going up either the Valley Way (4.2)

This is what I would suggest, too. If they're not in great hiking shape, any other option would be extremely grueling. Even the Valley Way is hard enough for the out-of-shape. When I was there in June '07, there was some who took all day to get up the Valley Way to Madison, and then was so wrecked that she had to abandon her plans to hike to Washington the next day. For anyone used to hiking, the Valley Way is not very taxing. There's less exposure than on the Airline Trail.