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5,774 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Adams

Mount Adams is a 5,774 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Via Air Line Trail: 7 mi, 4,448 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Mount Adams in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Adams at a glance

  • Elevation5,774 ft1,759 m
  • RouteVia Air Line TrailClass 3
  • Distance7 mi4,448 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Via Air Line Trail

From Route 2 in Randolph, New Hampshire, start at the Appalachia trailhead. Air Line and Valley Way climb steeply to Madison Spring Hut and the summit cone, with the wild King Ravine as a rugged alternative. The upper mountain is a boulder field well above treeline in the Northern Presidentials, so route-finding on the marked rock is essential in fog. Weather here rivals Mount Washington for wind and cold. Carry full layers, start early, and be ready to turn back. Often climbed with Madison in one big day.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • GPS Device
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Microspikes
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Light Gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Steep exposure
  • Extreme cold
  • Snow near summit
  • Ice near summit
  • High winds
  • Loose rock
  • Storms
  • Low visibility
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Cold summit conditions

Mount Adams on Yak

Climbers have shared 11 climbs of Mount Adams on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app

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Quests with Mount Adams

Peaks near Mount Adams

  1. Mount Madison

    Mount Madison

    5,367 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Mount Jefferson

    Mount Jefferson

    5,712 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Mount Washington

    Mount Washington

    6,288 ft · 3.5 mi away

  4. Mount Monroe

    Mount Monroe

    5,384 ft · 4.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Adams?

Mount Adams is 5,774 feet (1,759 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does Mount Adams rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 5,774 feet, Mount Adams is the 2nd highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to climb Mount Adams?

The Via Air Line Trail is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 4,448 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to climb Mount Adams?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Via Air Line Trail, covering 7 miles with 4,448 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Is Mount Adams dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and extreme cold. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.

Do you need microspikes for Mount Adams?

They help. Microspikes are on the gear list for the Via Air Line Trail for icy or packed-snow sections, which are common outside summer.

When is the best time to climb Mount Adams?

The usual climbing window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Adams?

The Via Air Line Trail starts at about 1,320 feet, roughly 4,454 feet below the summit.

Climb Mount Adams with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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