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Presidental Traverse

Presi Traverse

Saturday, June 21, 2025
Randolph, NH
Very Strenuous
Hosted by Bobcat

The trip report

Written by Bobcat

What a day for a hike!

Breaking the string of rainy Saturdays, we enjoyed crystal clear skies and a cool breezy wind- ideal conditions for the traverse.

We left Appalachia at 4AM in the dark & headed up to the Madison Hut & then dropped our packs and scrambled up to tag Mt. Madison & enjoy the early morning views.  After a quick descent down Madison, we enjoyed a brief break at the hut before continuing on our trek.  We broke up into several groups during the hike but met up at the major peaks - Adams, Jefferson, & Washington.  The trail was very crowded with hikers & runners- so abundant eye-candy for all to enjoy!   At Mt. Washington, we enjoyed a hearty lunch & well deserved break.  At that point, some hikers (including me) opted to exit via the Cog Trail (which shortens the hike to about 15 miles but with most of the elevation gain completed) & the others continued to complete the Presi Traverse exiting at the Highland Center.  (When I get to Mt. Washington when I do the Traverse, I find the temptation to hike down the Cog Trail irresistable since I'm usually pretty wasted at that point (LOL)).  After the hike, most of us headed to Bear Pond for a well deserved restful night & then enjoyed breakfast & coffee in the morning before heading home.

Congratulations to all for taking on this very tough hike & making this a really special GO event!  Maybe we can do another one later this summer or next year!

 

Event photos (39)

Reactions

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About this event

This is one of the hardest day hikes in the White Mountains but also one of the most rewarding. It about 20 miles long with an overall elevation gain of 8000 ft. We will hike up the Valley Way to the hut, tag Madison, and then continue over Mt. Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, & Pierce before heading down the Crawford Path. Hikers can also hike down the Cog RR route to shorten the hike if desired. Hikers are welcome to stay at my house near Franconia NH before & after the hike.

Who came along (9)

Bobcat SUSTAINING
Bobcat
Upton, MA
Carl SUSTAINING
Carl
Leominster, MA
A member
Profile hidden
Twigs GUEST MEMBER
Twigs
Townsend, MA
Don59 GUEST MEMBER
Don59
Townsend, MA
A member
Profile hidden
outsider SUSTAINING
outsider
hanover, MA
Russell SUSTAINING
Russell
Newtonville, MA
beyoungyu SUSTAINING
beyoungyu
Harrisburg, PA

Comments

Twigs · May 13, 2025
I'll plan on staying at ur place before and after. Looking forward to this hike ..... It's a bucket list item for me
Don59 · May 13, 2025
I plan to stay before and after as well
A member · Jun 16, 2025
planning to stay before and after--even if I don't make it the whole way! fingers crossed for good weather this weekend!
Russell · Jun 17, 2025
I’d like to stay before and after, please and thank you
Carl · Jun 17, 2025
I'd like to stay forever, but I'll settle for Friday and Saturday night. See you soon! :)
A member · Jun 18, 2025
I’d like to stay Friday as well and potentially Saturday depending on what time we finish. I’m watching the forecast and will opt out if the summits are forecast to be in the clouds.
Bobcat · Jun 19, 2025
Weather looks great for the Traverse! Sunny & breezy! No rain at all. Plenty of room is available to stay over Friday & Saturday for all hikers. Please email me for the address if you need it. We will be leaving the house at about 3AM to arrive at the trailhead at about 345AM. You can arrive here anytime Friday (or tonight if you want to). Please try to get here not too late since we will be getting up at around 2AM. More info will be sent in an email.
outsider · Jun 19, 2025
Looking forward to the single day traverse!!
I’ll be staying at my place in Campton so I’ll meet you at the trailhead parking lot on Rte 2 in the morning.
Carl · Jun 22, 2025
Thank you so much for this amazing day, Bob! Here are my pictures from the day if anyone wants to access or add to my album, you can do that here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NqosLuBskbX4aTBLA

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