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Mount Madison

Mount Madison is a 5,367-foot mountain at the northern end of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire.

Prominence: 466 ft Range: Presidential Range
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Elevation: 5,367 ft

Mount Madison

Mountain Overview
General Info
Elevation
5,367 ft
Prominence
466 ft
Range
Presidential Range
Trail Type
Out & back - commonly.
Difficulty
Very Difficult
Exposure
High - very exposed to wind/cold above treeline.
Typical Time
7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way.
Best seasons
Summer and fall - winter for experienced only.
Water availability
Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open.
Cell reception
Spotty - possibly at summit; generally weak elsewhere.
First Photo & Camera
Mountain
Mount Madison
Photo
Ridge Illuminated by Golden Sunset
Description
This landscape photograph showcases Mount Madison during a serene summer evening in the White Mountain National Forest. The late-day sun casts long shadows across the rocky ridge line, highlighting the mountain's textured terrain. Beyond the peak, layers of forested hills stretch into the distance beneath a partly cloudy sky, evoking the peaceful mountain weather typical of New Hampshire's White Mountains. The scene invites hikers and landscape photographers to explore the natural beauty of this iconic summit view.
Dimensions
5209 x 3473
Credit
© NATHAN SOBOL / NH48pics.com

Area Map

OpenStreetMap area view with summit marker and nearby trail context.

Peak trail map

Static map preview

Mount Madison: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.3283, -71.2767

Trails: Valley Way Trail, Osgood Trail, Howker Ridge Trail, Watson Path

Trails

Current Summit Weather

NOAA / NWS point forecast for this summit location.

NOAA / NWS Server snapshot pending

Static guide content is available now; the Worker injects the latest weather snapshot when the page is served.

Astronomy

Sun and moon timing for this peak.

USNO Server snapshot pending

The Worker injects the latest astronomy timing when the page is served.

Monthly Weather Averages

Water & Crossing Context

Stream context

Multi-source water data near routes, trailheads, and drainages associated with this peak. These readings and support layers provide runoff and crossing context, not a safe/unsafe crossing decision.

Route water note: Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open.

Peabody River

PEABODY RIVER UPSTREAM OF ROUTE 16, NR GORHAM, NH

No Current Core Data
USGS Historical

Peabody River context for Great Gulf, Imp, Carter-Moriah, and north Presidential trailheads after heavy runoff.

4.8 mi context

  • Nearby live proxy: Peabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire • Androscoggin River near Gorham, NH
Official source

Peabody River

Peabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire

118 cfs · 2.82 ft gage · falling · fresh
USGS Historical, Observed NWPS Forecast HADS Observed

Observed May 2, 2026, 5:45 AM • 6.4 mi context

Official source

Androscoggin River

Androscoggin River near Gorham, NH

2,300 cfs · 3.84 ft gage · stable · gage falling · fresh
USGS Historical, Observed NHDES Observed NWPS Forecast HADS Observed

Observed May 2, 2026, 5:15 AM • 8.6 mi context

Official source

Israel River

ISRAEL RIVER AB S B ISRAEL R, NEAR JEFFERSON, NH

No Current Core Data
USGS Historical

Northern Presidential and Jefferson side context for Caps Ridge, Appalachia, and Waumbek / Starr King planning.

5.4 mi context

  • Nearby live proxy: Peabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire • Androscoggin River near Gorham, NH
Official source

Observed gages, forecasts, and modeled support context provide drainage context only. They do not determine whether a specific crossing is safe. Treat rising, stale, modeled, or missing readings conservatively.

Nearby Peaks & Connections

Parking & Access

Appalachia trailhead - US 2, Randolph.
Trailhead parking
Roadside parking, can be crowded on weekends
Trailhead
Appalachia trailhead - US 2, Randolph.
Capacity
60 vehicles (est.)
Last verified
2026-02-14

Access roads & trailheads

Dolly Copp (Pinkham B) Rd

FR 71

Closed

District Andro • Last updated Nov 19, 2025

Trailheads: Dolly Copp Campground Trailhead • Howker Ridge Trailhead (Bumpus Brook) • Pinkham B Road Trailheads

Verify official sources and posted signs before driving to a trailhead.

Difficulty Metrics

Technical difficulty (1-10)
9
Physical effort (1-10)
9
Difficulty class
Very Difficult
Typical completion time
7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way.

Risk & Preparation

Risk factors
Above treeline exposure, Severe weather, Navigation, No cell service
Preparation notes
Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases. Download offline maps and do not rely on cell service; leave a plan with someone.
Bailout distance
0 mi
Weather exposure
High - very exposed to wind/cold above treeline.
Field planning note
Valley Way & Osgood Trail - via Madison Hut. - 8.3 - 4,100 - Very difficult - Out & back - same route. Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open. Roadside parking, can be crowded on weekends

Wilderness Safety

Water availability
Yes - Madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open.
Cell reception
Spotty - possibly at summit; generally weak elsewhere.
Best seasons
Summer and fall - winter for experienced only.

Trail & Terrain

Terrain
Steep, rocky trail; extensive boulders near summit
Scramble sections
Yes - class 2 rock hopping and light scrambling on summit approach.
View type
360° - summit is alpine with sweeping views.
Summit marker
Rocky cairn - no sign; summit is a pile of boulders.
Flora / environment
Mixed hardwood and boreal forest low; alpine zone above ~4,500 ft
Nearby 4,000-footer connections
Mount Adams

Mount Madison Route & Conditions

Route
Mount Madison's standard hiking options include Valley Way & Osgood Trail - via Madison Hut at 8.3 miles with 4,100 feet of gain and Airline Trail - direct ridge ascent at 8.4 miles with 4,100 feet of gain. A typical completion time is 7–9 hours - round-trip via Valley Way.
Terrain and exposure
This is a very difficult Presidential Range hike. Expect steep, rocky trail; extensive boulders near summit. Scrambling includes class 2 rock hopping and light scrambling on summit approach. Upper-mountain terrain includes mixed hardwood and boreal forest low; alpine zone above ~4,500 ft and 360°, summit is alpine with sweeping views. Weather and exposure are defining planning concerns here: high, very exposed to wind/cold above treeline.
Weather window
The best normal hiking window is summer and fall, roughly winter for experienced only. Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases.
Water, signal, and bailout
Water is available: madison Spring Hut near treeline offers water when open. Cell reception is spotty, possibly at summit; generally weak elsewhere. Bailout options include Madison Spring Hut as shelter and descend Valley Way, most protected route. Nearby live water context is available from Peabody River, Peabody River, and Androscoggin River.
Trailhead and access
The most common trailhead is Appalachia Trailhead, with room for about 60 vehicles. Roadside parking, can be crowded on weekends. Other linked starts include Edmands Col Cutoff / Airline Trailhead (Bowman), Dolly Copp Campground Trailhead, Howker Ridge Trailhead (Bumpus Brook), and Valley Way Trailhead (Appalachia), and 2 more. Seasonal access-road context includes Dolly Copp (Pinkham B) Rd.
Connected route context
Major linked trails include Valley Way Trail, Osgood Trail, Howker Ridge Trail, Watson Path, and Pine Link Trail. Nearby 4,000-footer connections include Mount Adams.

Last Updated: 2026-02-14