Days 34-35, July 26 and 27: Climbing to the Presidential Range in New Hampshire’s White Mountains

Day 34, July 26 is forgettable and I will not write about it except to say my knees took a beating on the torturous descent from 4,050’ Wildcat D Mountain to 2,090’ Pinkham Notch, which has an AMC Visitor Center. From there, the fun of following the AT high above treeline to the Presidential Range started in mild, calm, sunny weather.  It was my good fortune to have such a day because hiking in the Presidentials in cold, rainy and windy conditions can be perilous. 

See my current location and daily log of my progress on the trail.

So I begin Day 35 on my AT journey with high expectations, good conditions and sore knees.  Early in the morning the sounds that filled my ears were unusual: vehicles on the nearby highway, vehicles on the summit road to Mt. Washington, and a drone buzzing directly above me. I would have enjoyed the flying machine more if it had dropped a breakfast bagel down to me…but no.

The trail reached treeline after six miles at about the 4,300-foot level where I gazed upon Mt. Madison which towered nearly 1,000 feet above. After a snack break I picked through the rocky terrain step by step as carefully as possible.  The route uphill led me over three minor humps with many rock cairns pile high enough to guide anyone aiming for Mt. Madison. The going was tedious.  The “trail” was often a series of choices.  “Which rocks do I step towards?  The sharp, pointed rocks or the ones I have to step or crawl onto?” Maintaining balance was crucial by pressing the trekking poles onto the rocks while carefully avoiding snapping a pole.

Mt. Madison up close has a stark, inhospitable image. I wanted to be there because it was my goal, but it’s really just a rocky summit with no outstanding attributes except being named after a U.S. president.

After about two hours of this picking my way I was sitting on the summit eating M&Ms, but not for long.  The wind blew very chilly while clouds got darker.  My destination, Madison Spring Hut was just 0.4 mile and a 500-foot descent away.  As I neared the hut rain began to fall.  Once again, good fortune made the day special and unforgettable!  I also have a new sore muscle.  It’s just part of the journey!