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The Valley Way leads from US Route 2 near Randolph to the AMC Madison Hut, and is one of the easiest ways to climb Mount Madison or Mount Adams or both. It follows a sidehill course between ridge and brook so it can maintain a more uniform grade, and is wide enough for snowshoeing. Although it is one of the more heavily used trails in the Northern Presidentials, careful trail hardening has left it in good condition.
Distance: To AMC Madison Hut, about 3.6 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 3500 feet, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Mount Washington
AMC Presidential Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2004-2005 map G-8
DeLorme NHA&G 49-I/J6 - Randolph/Low and Burbanks Grant
Randolph is on US Route 2 between Lancaster and Gorham
Trailhead:
Parking area on US Route 2 about 2.0 miles E from Lowes Store/Gas Station in Randolph, elevation about 1300 feet
This place is often referred to as "Appalachia" for a former nearby railroad stop although not signed as such
N 44.371, -71.289 W (WGS84)
From I-93 exit 35 N of Franconia Notch, take US Route 3 N about 13 miles to NH Route 115. Turn R on NH Route 115 and follow it about 10 miles to its end at US Route 2. Turn R on US Route 2 and follow it about 7.4 miles to the parking lot on R. The Valley Way starts near the W end of the lot.
Far End: Gulfside Trail at AMC Madison Hut, elevation about 4800 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: White Mountain National Forest
Special regulations: No fires or camping along trail
The Valley Way enters the woods S of the parking area in combination with the Air Line, crossing a former railroad line. The Air Line forks R, and the Valley Way now crosses a powerline clearing. The Maple Walk leaves L and the Sylvan Way crosses, then the Fallsway (which follows Snyder Brook from the other end of the Appalachia parking lot) enters, leaves, and rejoins.
At .8 miles, the Beechwood Way enters from the R, an old woods road once used by AMC pack crews but now featuring no trailhead parking. Just afterward the Brookside leaves L, then at the top of the next rise, the Randolph Path crosses. The Valley Way now climbs on the sidehill above Snyder Brook, with the Scar Trail leaving R at 2.0 miles for the Air Line. At 2.3 miles, the Watson Path crosses, offering a shorter but rougher route to Mount Madison. Here you are 2/3 of the distance but only half the climb from US Route 2 to Madison Hut, so the Valley Way is steeper beyond. In about half a mile, the Lower Bruin enters L from the Watson Path at Snyder Brook, and in another half mile the Upper Bruin branches R for the Air Line. In between, or about 3.0 miles from US Route 2, a spur path leads R to the Valley Way campsite, with tent platforms and an outhouse.
The trees begin to get noticeably smaller and the trail swings back toward Snyder Brook and follows a gully up to the AMC Madison Hut at 3.6 miles. This last section may be wet or icy depending on conditions.
The hut, located right at treeline, is a major junction point with the following trails leaving in addition to the Valley Way (clockwise from Valley Way approaching hut):
Parking lot plowed in winter. While the trail is often packed out, there are other times when snowshoes or crampons may be needed; in particular the last section of trail before the hut can be either drifted or icy.
Hut open during a short summer season only.
Map Notes: The USGS map shows this trail fairly accurately, but some of the connecting trails are incorrect in particular near the trailhead.
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