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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking at Appalachia [Rt 2] 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I returned for Madison after my attempt the previous Sunday. It's amazing how much difference 2 days can make on a trail. This time, I did not deviate from the plan: I wore my snowshoes. As with the previous hike, Vally Way is well packed up to the tent site. Beyond - I came across quite a few postholes and evidence of struggling hikers making their way up the trail in previous days.
I took off my snowshoes at the Hut and put on my microspikes for the the ascent of Mt Madison. I also did something I had never done before: I left behind my pack also. Nothing bad happened. In fact, it was refreshing hopping up those rocks without the weight of a winter pack - but on the way back, as the sky was darkening, I thought: what if something happened? I'm "here" and my pack is "there." I didn't like that thought. Haha. Not doing that, again.
Since I figured I wouldn't be needing my snowshoes for Mt Adams, I tied them to my pack [there's gotta be an easier way to carry these bulky things] and made my way along Star Lake Trail. I followed the cairns until I saw no more. Sorry, folks, but I made some serious postholes! I eventually realized that I needed my snowshoes, so I put them on; but it seemed to make things worse. When I was potholing, at least, I was "anchored" to the ground; with the snowshoes, I was susceptible to sliding - and if you know that part of the trail - you know that slide goes a long way down. I wasn't going to make it up on "this" trail…so I carefully turned around and slowly made my way pack to the hut.
From the hut, I went up the Gulfside Trail just short of where Air Line and Short Line meet. I should've gone on this trail instead of taking Star Lake Trail. Unfortunately, it began sleeting, so I took it as a sign to get back down. It was a full day and an excellent and fulfilling "last day of winter."
Oh, btw: for next winter, I think I'm going to be carrying an ice axe.
 
Name
Name: Catorce 
E-Mail
E-Mail: Haymarket7@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-03-20 
Link
Link: https:// 
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