Just a day hike, but a fun outing nonetheless!
Got the Appalachia trailhead around 11pm, with plans to sleep in the car & head out early. Due to the "supermoon", the parking was packed with folks night hiking.
Woke up at 4am & decided to start early. Having never really "night hiked", it took a good 30 minutes of walking to get over my concerns. Idk if I'd do it often, especially in unfamiliar terrain & especially above treeline. Good thing I'm slow & the sun came out before long!
Headed up Airline Trail, which was about what I expected... Steep & rocky! I'm far from in shape, so regular breaks kept the pace nice & easy. Breaking out above treeline, I was rewarded with some awesome views of Madison, Adams, & the Perch Hut... This is what makes the effort worth it!
A bit farther along, I came to Madison Hut. Apparently I was the first person there that hadn't spent the night... Got some free pancakes! Lots of people were still waking up & getting ready. One day, I'd love to spend a night up at a Hut, but my current finances prefer a free camping spot in the woods. After a quick breakfast & review of maps, it was on to Mt Madison! Met a nice older woman who's section hiking the AT with her son. Was a bit slower pace than I intended, but well worth the conversation! They continued on their way, while I turned back for the boulder scramble towards the Hut & Adams.
Unintentionally, I took the Star Lake Trail instead of the Gulfside Trail, but was rewarded with a nice view I'd the pond up there . Not sure how tough the other trail is, but this one kicked my butt. Lots of rocks, lots of uphill. Finally reaching the summit of Mt. Adams, I was treated to a good 20 minutes all by myself. Unfortunately, Mt Washington become obscures by fog & clouds, but looking North was still clear enough to enjoy with a sandwich.
After that, it was down Link trail towards Crag Camp. There were some grassy areas that looked like phenomenal spots to take a nap, but I try to never stray from the trail in such a fragile environment. Crag Camp was an awesome hut that's much cheaper than the AMC huts, where you cook your own meals. Before this, I'd never heard of the RMC, a well kept secret apparently! The way down was relatively uneventful (lots of appreciating my hiking poles).
Overall, a fantastic day. 10 miles worth of hiking, but a weeks worth of sore calves! As much as I hike around my house in CT, not much can prepare you for the Whites!
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