Lowe's Path, King Ravine Trail, or Spur Trail to Adams summit?

I'm looking to hike Mount Adams next week and wanted to get your guys' thoughts on what trail/s to take up/down. I'm in my early 20s and consider myself a decent hiker but I want to avoid anything super sketchy since I'll be solo and don't have a ton of bouldering experience. Starting at Lowe's seems like the best option which is why I asked about those 3 trails but I'm open to completely different routes as well. Don't want anything much longer than 10 miles though so I can be sure I can do it in a day.

Also, what are the conditions on those trails like the end of May? Should I use microspikes, hiking boots, or just trail shoes?

in wmnfby GeonZ

50%

13d

Ninorc-3791

13d

Airline up - Valley Way back down and bring spikes for the top parts of the trails.

GeonZ

13d

Thanks for the suggestion! That's probably what I'll do. How doable is swinging back down by Star Lake from the summit? Seems kind of steep.

Ninorc-3791

I’ve never ever been down star lake. But going up is a must it’s a great trail

throwsplasticattrees

13d

Avoid King Ravine unless the snow is completely melted off. Check trail reports, but know that King Ravine is not a popular trail so you are not likely to get much reported out on trail conditions.

Valley Way is a nice path to get to Madison Spring, from there you have several options to summit Adams. You can return down Spur.

midnight_skater

13d

King Ravine is one of the Terrifying 25.

Airline up & Valley Way down.

There will be mud, probably rotten snow, maybe ice. Waterproof footwear recommended. It's always a good idea to carry spikes if there is any possibility of ice.

amazingBiscuitman

gridiot

13d

Valley way to great gulf to airline is most frequently used, followed by either airline to summit, or valley way to star lake and done. I was up airline a week ago, you’ll not need spikes. I’ll be in 3 season goretex boots for a couple more weeks.

IAmKathyBrown

13d

This is the way. I’m a big baby and I did it this way in misty/foggy weather.

mr0bungle

NH48 / Winter48 Finisher

13d

Check the Randolph mountain clubs Facebook on a Friday for a report on conditions in the northern presidentials.

VTVoodooDude

13d

Regardless what others may say, I’d save KR for another day later in the spring/summer.

j-specs

13d

If you’re going solo and don’t have a lot of experience in the northern presis, I’d suggest valley way to airline. Recent trail reports for airline are great, valley way less so, but likely better in another week of melting.

You’ll definitely want to carry spikes but may not end up using them. Wont need snowshoes anymore this time of year since you’re not going on any unexposed ridges.

Make sure to check MWOBS forecast before going out. Those mountains have their own weather, and it can get nasty very quickly.

TJsName

13d

The fun part of the RMC network is that you can do a ton of variations on this hike. The western trails are great for adding in an overnight at Crag, Gray Knob, Perch, or Log Cabin, especially if you want to add on Jefferson.

Here's my List of routes for doing just Adams in order of "sketch". Asterisks denote potential difficult crossings. I've bolded the hardest part of each route.

Appalachia: Valley Way > Gulfside or Airline Cutffoff > Airline
Appalachia: Airline (the knife edge on Durand Ridge is really not scary)
Lowe's: Lowe's Path
Appalachia: Amphibrach/Link/Sylvan Way > Amphibrach > Hinks > Lowe's
Appalachia: Amphibrach/Link/Sylvan Way > Amphibrach > Spur > Lowe's
Appalachia: Airline > Shortline or Randolph Path > Hinks > Lowe's or Spur/Lowe's
Appalachia: Amphibrach/Link > Link > Lowe's
*Bowman: Israel Ridge (overlaps with Gulfside)
Appalachia: Valley Way > Star Lake
*Bowman: Castle > Castle Ravine > Emerald Bluff > Israel Ridge (overlaps with Gulfside)
Appalachia: Airline > Shortline > Chemin des Dames > Airline
Appalachia: Airline > Shortline > King Ravine > Airline
*Great Gulf: Great Gulf > Madison Gulf > Star Lake
Appalachia: Airline > Shortline > Great Gully > Lowe's

Of all the trails listed, Amphibrach is probably the most gentle in terms of footing and grade. My favorite would be ascending by #10 and descending by #5 and either hitch a ride, drop a car/bike, or walk the Rail Trail back to Bowman. The crossings out of Bowman might still be a bit high right now though.

GeonZ

13d

Thanks for the detailed response!

TJsName

13d

I needed a distraction from work for a few minutes!

jdh0625

12d

My favorite would be ascending by #10 and descending by #5

Doing Adams while visiting Emerald Bluff on the way up and Knight's Castle on the way down? A man of taste and class.

Pvdsuccess

13d

I've done lowes a number of times. It's not easy but u can stop at gray knob for a break, there's water nearby, then finally go to top of Adams. Same on the way back.

Exciting_Agent3901

13d

King’s Ravine is an amazing place. I’d go up through the ravine and down Airline.

_coffee_junkie_

13d

It’s also the most strenuous, difficult and technical route for the experience d hiker who wants a challenge.

amazingBiscuitman

gridiot

12d

All the trails in king ravine are still filled with steep snow. Don't go anywhere near without crampons/ice axe/helmet. I was looking down there from Airline a week ago.