Trail: Adams, Madison via Valley Way, Scar, Airline
Date Hiked: 30SEP06
Conditions: All trails below treeline where well maintained and easy to follow with little mud despite the recent rain. Above treeline the rime ice covered the mostly warn blazes and picking out the cairns from the feild of white was somewhat challengeing. Will get much worse once snow hits.
Special Required Equipment: Forgot the gaitors but I brought the crampons, didn't need either.
Comments: Absolutely georgous day. The rime ice on the summits was spectacular which melted by about 2PM or so. Fall colors are near or at peak, amazing reds and oranges. A lot of people on the chilly (low 30's) summit of Adams, by the time we got to Madison the summit was empty. Met a small group of very ill prepared hikers on the way down heading for the tent site with extremely heavy gear and cotton clothing. They claimed there were going to do a Presi traverse tomorrow. We tried to diswade them and I hope they change their minds once it starts raining. Joined by Mountain Magic (48+), Karen(22?) and Arnold (35?) Made it out just before dark. (45+46/48)
Had to pass the AMC group to get to the top.
The fungus amungous.
Scar Trail intersection.
Lower levels of the trail is covered in this moss.
Unusual black and white toad stool with ice.
Yes, it is dangerous up there.
Kings Ravine from Durand Ridge.
Looking North along Durand Ridge. Arnold, Karen, Magic (L to R)
Mount Adams.
Crag Camp
Looking North from Durand Ridge.
Mountain Alder (Alnus viridis)
Ice on Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea).
AMC Madison Hut
Yes, the trail goes to the left, and down.
The ice sticks to everything.
Karen and Magic in the front, the AMC group in the rear.
A feild of rime ice.
The Carter-Moriah Range from the side of Mt. Adams
Mt. Madison and Star Lake from the side of Mt. Adams.
Mt. Washington from Mt. Adams.
Summit of Mt. Adams, amazing color in the valley.
Summit of Mt. Adams.
Looking North from Mt. Adams.
Found in amongst the ice, Old-Field (Common) Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex)
Mt. Washington Auto Road from the sumit of Mt. Madison.
Karen and Magic almost at the sumit of Mt. Madison.
Amazing views from the top of Mt. Madison.
Taking it all in, with Mt. Washington in the background.
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
Amazing colors.
Cascades along lower Snyder Brook.
The ride home, made it down just before dark.