Mount Madison

Mount Madison is a summit in the Presidential Range with granite rock formations and alpine vegetation covering its exposed 5,367 foot peak. Steep trails wind upward through different vegetation zones to reach this open ridge with expansive views across the mountain range.

This mountain was named after James Madison, the fourth United States president, and shaped northeastern hiking culture from the early 1800s onward. The naming reflects the mountaineering heritage of that era as peaks across the range received presidential names.

The Madison Spring Hut between this peak and Mount Adams serves as a gathering point for hikers who want to explore multiple summits in the Presidential Range. Visitors often stop here to rest and exchange stories about their climbing experiences.

The Valley Way Trail offers the most sheltered climbing route with steadier conditions, while the Air Line Trail provides a shorter but more exposed path. Your choice depends on hiking experience, weather conditions, and comfort with exposed ridges.

An early surveying error led to Mount Monroe being recorded as 22 feet taller than this peak, even though this does not reflect the actual height difference. This quirk in the records has persisted to the present day and reveals the challenges of measuring mountains in the early days.