UPDATE: Changed hike to Sandwich Dome up Algonquin and down Black Mtn. Pond Trail, because of thunderstorms: https://caltopo.com/m/J2AT1HQ

Do you like large rocks?

Join us on a day hike up an unconventional route to Mt. Adams, the 2nd highest peak in New Hampshire! As with all the Northern Presidentials, the summit area is above treeline and consists of large rocks at various angles: rough terrain. We'll come close to the summit of Mt. Madison too, but instead of summiting it, we'll do something more interesting: go around the back side for scrambles on Parapet and Star Lake Trails, a sneaky route to Mt. Adams.

Route: 11.8 mi, 5400 ft. gain, with a lot of variety: cascades, stream crossings, outlooks at various elevations on the "Howks" of Howker Ridge Trail, 4 miles above treeline, "The Parapet" overlooking the Great Gulf Wilderness, the iconic view of Mt. Madison across Star Lake, 360-degree summit views from Adams, stop at Madison Spring Hut for water/food/restrooms, Durand Ridge with its view plunging down into King Ravine, and more outlooks and waterfalls and an impressive boulder on the way down. Map.

This hike will require the weather to cooperate. We are planning to hike on Sunday, but we might switch to Saturday or cancel if the weather forces us to.

We'll leave Cambridge very early (no later than 5am) so that we can hike at a moderate pace, and we'll stop for a quick breakfast along the way. We hope to hike at at least 1 mph uphill, and 1.5-2 mph on easier sections down. Expect to return to Cambridge late.

Participants will share car costs (around $150/car). If you can drive your own car or are willing to drive a rental car, please edit the lottery preferences on your MITOC profile to show this.