Region
Most climbed route
Highlights
- Mount Adams is the second highest mountain in New Hampshire after Mount Washington.
- Located in the Northern Presidential Range, Mount Adams was named after John Adams, the second president of the US.
- There are two major subsidiary peaks of Mount Adams: Mount Sam Adams and Mount Quincy Adams.
- The Appalachian Trail traverses the col between Mount Adams and Mount Sam Adams, on a path called "Gulfside Trail."
- Mount Adams is one of 9 peaks included in the famous Presidential Traverse, or Presi Traverse, which is typically done as a multi-day hut-to-hut outing or as an extreme day hike.
- To the north and east is Mount Madison and to the south and west is Mount Jefferson.
Routes
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
20 summits • 11.9 mi • 5,488 ft gain • 11 hr 48 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
9 summits • 11.4 mi • 5,079 ft gain • 11 hr 27 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 10.3 mi • 4,474 ft gain • 10 hr 42 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 10.9 mi • 5,230 ft gain • 9 hr 18 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 12.0 mi • 4,655 ft gain • 8 hr 16 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 12.7 mi • 4,974 ft gain • 9 hr 53 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 19.0 mi • 7,788 ft gain • 12 hr 51 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 23.3 mi • 8,222 ft gain • 22 hr 2 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 7.1 mi • 999 ft gain • 10 hr 46 min
/-71.2916080131773,44.3205938288274,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 9.0 mi • 4,789 ft gain • 7 hr 39 min
Latest summits

"Valley way Trail at Appalachia in Randolph is a good trail. the last 1.4 is definitely a bit touch because of the boulder hopping. Madison Spring Hut was an amazing stay. Too much wind at the top to get the video or pictures.
" — Bucky • Jul 20, 2022
"A Madison and Adams kind of day. I went up Airline Tr then took Airline Cutoff over to Madison Hut. I managed to work around the ice on sections of the Airline Tr. There was quite a bit of snow and running water on Airline Cutoff. I reached the summit of Madison. Saw Nate Weeks, Jason Beauprie, and a bunch of others. They were starting a Presi Traverse. I headed over to Adams and tagged the summit. After soaking in the views. I headed down Airline Tr. I heard the upper part of Valley Way was an ice rink. To mix up my route down, I took Upper Bruin to Valley Way and out. There was some ice I had to work around on Upper Bruin and Valley Way. I gained 2 peaks for my May Grid. " — newenglandwarrior • May 14, 2022

"I wouldn't say that I'd recommend hiking both peaks in one day with a 3.5 hour drive on either side, but... we did! Hot and muggy down below, moderate and very windy over the tree line. We opted to take Valley Way--straightforward and not very challenging on a White Mountains scale--to ensure we made decent time and were shielded from the sun as long as possible. After a quick restroom break and First Lunch at Madison Spring Hut, we took Gulfside to Airline to the Mt. Adams summit. Definitely a longer climb than it first appears, and full of confusion since the rocks that are a part of the trail look exactly like the rocks that aren't, but... as long as you have plenty of water and sunscreen, it's worth the effort. Beautiful views, even before we hit the summit. But I might have enjoyed the views from Madison even more. After picking our way back down to the hut to retie our boots and grab Second Lunch, we followed Osgood up to Mt. Madison (where we dabbled in Third Lunch). I loved the trail. There were some fun little scrambley moments and intriguing lines and formations that made me feel adventurous and produced some nice pictures. Gorgeous 360 views on both peaks. Took about 10...." — gooner • Jun 29, 2021
"An Adams and Jefferson hike today. Went up King Ravine from Appalachia. Had Nate Weeks pass by me as he was doing a Vert day. Went through the Subway and Ice Caves on my ascent. Reached Adams, then headed over to Jefferson. Crossed paths with an AMC MLS group in Edmund's Col. Saw Hiker Ed on Jeff summit. Took Randolph Path to Amphibrach back down. Beautiful day to be above treeline." — newenglandwarrior • Jun 12, 2021

"After dropping 100' from the summit of Abigail Adams peak, I continued on to Mt. Adams summit. I was hoping to also do Sam and John Quincy peaks but was running out of time to get down before dark. It was a beautiful bluebird day with about a 5mph breeze. Only half a dozen of us at the top. Made a quick stop at Madison Spring Hut on the way down. My first NH 4Ker in 6 years. #25/NH4K" — SteveM_StickMan • Sep 21, 2020
"A pretty good winter day for a strenuous high peaks hike. Although the sun wasn't shining brightly, we had some and that kept temps mostly in the 20s all day. There was a good wind a top Adams, blowing in from the NW. Still got great views as everything seems to be covered in beautifully patterned rime ice. Not enough snow up there, all the way up Airline, on the peaks and down Valley, ice was prevalent. The microspike on my left foot broke 1 mile down Valley. Did some slip/sliding the rest of the way down." — Alohabuffy • Dec 29, 2019

"Single-day Presidential Traverse to finish off 3 days of peakbagging and Appalachian Trail redlining in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire. The Traverse, spanning Pinkham Notch to Crawford Notch, covered 25 miles and 8,300 feet of elevation gain in 14 hours moving. The northern presidential peaks were socked in and windy. " — wacbravo • Sep 9, 2019

"Last week we were all set to go camping ... a nice long weekend of relaxing. At the last minute our friends talked us into joining them to complete one of the Northeast Ultra 8's - the Presidential Traverse - 24 miles and 9200 feet of gain over some tough terrain. It was not my best day, I wasn't feeling it and I was slower - thankfully these guys were not worried about pace and instead they were all about enjoying the day, working together to get it done and keeping it fun - so thankful for a great crew!" — deb-and-rob • Aug 31, 2019

"Took on Madison and Adams today in our quest to complete all the Presential Range. Couldn't ask for better weather. The hike was challenging but well worth the effort. The views were outstanding." — hbotc • Jul 24, 2019
"Madison and Adams kind of day. Juel was with me for both peaks. Ashely and another guy for just Madison. Madison wasn't bad. Kind of windy on Adams, so Juel and I did not stay long. Great getting another couple of Presi peaks." — newenglandwarrior • Feb 12, 2019