NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, NH
Trails
Trails: Lowe's Path, Randolph Path, Perch Path, Israel Ridge Path, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Osgood, Watson Path, Valley Way, Rail Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 21, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: $1 to park at Lowe's  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Traction, Ice Axe 
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 started by spotting a pair of xc skis at Appalachia. Low’s path was broken out all the way to the Randolph path junction (and beyond). I still went with snowshoes, which were more crucial once I turned onto Randolph path, which had some new snow and drifts. There were lots of snowy branches on Randolph path, as well as a long annoying side hill. Perch Path and Israel Ridge trail were broken out. I switched to crampons just before Edman’s Col. The side hill coming out of the col is a bit dangerous—you may want your ice ax. Heading up Jefferson, and over Adams and Madison was straight forward with a combo of firm snow, blue ice and rock. From Madison I challenged myself to break out Watson path, which has seen little or no use this winter. Good cairns above treeline, although I lost the path once and regained it quickly. The spot where it heads to the trees is discrete, by not too bad to find. I enjoyed floating down (in snowshoes) in some very deep snow. In most places the path was easy to spot, despite being high in the trees. However, while sliding down a steep glade I did miss a turn, dropping down to the drainage a bit early. I bushwhacked in deep snow along the drainage, regaining the path in about 1/10. Valley way was thoroughly packed as expected. I took that down and enjoyed the ski back. Lots of the lesser used trails are fully unbroken and the trail breaking is still tough.  
Name
Name: zporterColdRiverCampCook 
E-Mail
E-Mail: zap88@tds.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-03-22 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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