After several years of compulsive peakbagging in the White Mountains, I’ve changed my goals and set out to hike many of the trails that I’ve never set foot on before. With over 1500 miles of interconnected trails, there are still many miles of trails in the Whites that I’ve never hiked and I expect this “project” will run well into the future. While I haven’t given up climbing mountains, climbing a peak is no longer one of my prerequisites for taking a day hike or a backpacking trip.
An excellent case in point is the Daniel Webster “Scout” Trail which climbs the western face of Mt Madison, the fourth highest four thousand footer in the White Mountains. The trail ends before reaching the summit however, intersecting with the Osgood Trail at 4760′ about six tenths of a mile below Madison’s summit cairns.
The last 1200 feet of elevation on the Daniel Webster Trail are fully exposed to the elements however and it will feel like you are climbing a mountain, as the trail sidehills through a boulder field up to the Osgood Ridge. The point where this trail ends at 4760″ might as well be a mountain, as it’s higher than most of the other mountains on the White Mountain 4000 footer list and the fact that it provides awesome views.
Three point five miles in length, the Daniel Webster Scout Trail begins inside the Dolly Copp Campground off Rt 16 – just tell the gate attendant at the entrance that you’re there to hike the trail. There is parking at the end of the Dolly Copp Campground Road, a few tenths of a mile beyond the trailhead, where the Great Gulf Link Trail begins. This is also the site of a good swimming spot along the Peabody River.
If you’ve ever climbed the Osgood Trail up to Mt Madison, you know what an arduous and steep climb that is, full of roots and rocks. The Daniel Webster Trail is far easier, shorter, and more direct route than the Osgood Trail and a good alternative for ascent or descent, especially if you want a more direct route to get to Rt 16. The Dolly Copp Campground (a fee is required) at the bottom of the trail is also a million times nicer than the Osgood Campsite on the AT, which is tiny, with lousy water, sagging tent platforms, and is a dump.
The Daniel Webster Trail can be broken into three logical sections.
- The bottom section, starting at 1300 feet of elevation, has the gentlest grade running past large trees and hobblebush meadows, the result of past logging. Water is abundant with numerous stream crossings and rocks have been positioned in the treadway to provide safe passage through wet and muddy areas.
- The middle section runs from 2800 feet to treeline at 4000 feet ,and climbs more steeply, but is still moderate in comparison to the Osgood Trail. The trail is very well maintained despite its low use, with wooden and stone steps placed along steep gradse and freshly raked water bars. The last water occurs at 3600 feet of elevation, just below treeline.
- The final section begins when you enter krummholz at about 3800 feet and the trail gets a lot rockier, turning into a scree and boulder field at 4000 feet up to the Osgood Trail intersection at 4760 feet. At 4000 feet there’s the ubiquitous White Mountain above-treeline warning sign. From there to about 4500 feet, the cairns marking the trail and the blue and yellow painted blazes painted on the rocks can be a bit hard to spot, so be patient in your route-finding. They’re much easier to spot on the descent however, although I’m not sure why.
Once you emerge above treeline, there are excellent views of the entire Howker Ridge (another very scenic trail up to Madison), Pine Mountain, and the city of Berlin (pronounced Ber’lin with the accent on the first syllable) to the north. Turning east, you can also see the unmistakable gap of Carter Notch and clear views of the entire Carter Moriah range, including the diminutive Little Wildcat Mountain below Wildcat A.
When you get to the top of the Daniel Webster Scout Trail, there’s a huge rock cairn at the point it intersects the Osgood Trail along with a wooden trail sign. Hold onto your hat though, because it’s likely to blow off your head once you clear the top of the Osgood Trail and the full force of the prevailing westerly wind hits you in the face.
Once you are standing at the trail junction, you will be able to see Mt Washington, Adams, and Madison, rising majestically above the Great Gulf. While you could continue up the Osgood Trail to Madison’s summit or follow the Parapet Trail to Star Lake in the Adams-Madison col, give yourself time to drink in this view.
The best time to climb the Daniel Webster Scout Trail is in the morning before the rocks at the top of the ascent heat up in the daylight sun and start to radiate heat outwards. When climbing, it’s best to refill your water battles at 3600′ (bring a water filter or chemical purification) and carry two liters because there is no water until Madison Hut in the Adams-Madison Col. Mornings are also better because there is often a chance of afternoon thunderstorms on the higher summits in summer. With no cover, you don’t want to experience lightning and hail at the top of this trail (speaking from experience), so check the higher summits forecast before deciding to climb or descend via this trail.
Recommended Guidebooks and Maps:
- Appalachian Mountain Club White Mountain Guide, 31st ed.
- AMC White Mountain National Forest Map Set
- White Mountains Map: New Hampshire and Maine
Thanks for the trip report. The pictures are terrific. I’ll put this on my list. I have some friends talking about climbing Madison soon, and I will see they read this. What are you using for a camera? Your pics are always excellent, sharp with good color.
Panasonic lumix lx5 point and shoot. Great camera.
Fun trail, Only trail I saw a moose up close on. Was going downhill and we rounded a corner and it was right there staring at us, not caring in the slightest. I saw alot of signs of moose on the Howker Ridge trail which is right near by this one. I wonder what part of this region attracts them in paticular
I think there’s a moose highway that runs between Mt Cresent and Mt Randolph, across Rt 2 and thru the northwest of Madison connecting the North Country to the Wild River Wilderness. That Howker Ridge and Pine Link area has such little hiker traffic, that the moose probably prefer the peace and quiet ,
The rocks look just like ~ 80% of PA! Some day I’ll get above 2,500′ :-) I have about 25 miles left of the PA AT, then I’m heading south, through MD,WV, and VA. I hope to do a camping trip this year along that super-secret trail you blabbed about recently :-) I also wondered about your camera; your pics are always great! Thanks for the posts.
Terrific web site, thanks for the great info. Any thoughts about Daniel Webster Scout Trail as a good-weather alternative to Valley Way for a one-day prezi traverse?
BTW, para 2 says it climbs the west face of Madison but you mean east right?
Thanks again!
An excellent alternative route.
I’m so glad I found this site. What great info you are providing.
We’re planning to go up Jefferson, Adam’s, Madison starting via Caps Ridge, and need to decide which route to take DOWN. After doing this 3 we want an easier going option and Daniel Webster sounds like it would be perfect!
July 1977 when bad weather rolled in, my cousin and I set up a two-man North Face tent on a flat area right next to the treeline sign at 4000. (The trees behind the above photo did not exist 45 years ago.)
We covered the tent stakes with rocks the size of softballs.
That night the wind rose to a steady 60 mph causing the tent ‘roof’ to vibrate such that it caused ‘sonic booms.’
My cousin was amazed I was able to sleep … I figured if I was blown down the mountain I would know it soon enough.
(I was 19 years old.)
In the morning all the rocks were dispersed and a couple stakes uprooted.
Early morning temperature was cold and uncomfortable, but not life threatening.
Winter hiking/climbing never interested me, I do not possess that gene.