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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH
Trails
Trails: Great Gulf Link, Daniel Webster Scout Trail, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail, Airline, Gulfside, Parapet, Osgood Cutoff, Great Gulf Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: As far as I know I had the only car parked at Great Gulf all day. I'll guess the campground at the Daniel Webster Scout TH is closed; and the two women I passed on that trail must have parked outside the gate, but I never asked. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Some broken branches on Great Gulf Link easily tossed to the side. A few blowdowns on Daniel Webster Scout. One significant but easily avoided blowdown on Osgood. Some minor stems across or leaning into the trail on Osgood cutoff. There aren't a lot of waterbars on these trails; I tried to scrape a few needle dams open a bit on Osgood with my poles. Since I'm a space cadet while hiking, I can't be sure but it seems to me someone has added to or added cairns to Parapet. Parapet could use a bit of a brushing in places I suppose but that would require a lot of effort for meagre rewards. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: This set of trails are mostly dry except around the hut, they are exposed to the sun with long stretches above tree-line , they have steep sections and they are full of sharp crystalline rocks. So I don't take Pepper on these in the warm weather. But today was perfect for him, and he had a great time. His paw pads are tough, he's in great shape and as a grizzled veteran the bouldering is no problem.  
Bugs
Bugs: None, but I did see a caterpillar crawling on a rock on the Daniel Webster Scout on Madison. I hope he/she's got a ticket to Florida stashed nearby.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Found one of those inexpensive combo thermometer/compass that attach to a pack loop at the Osgood tent sites. It seems to be working. I'll be happy to drop it in the mail or leave it at some place for pickup; otherwise I'll leave it at a trailhead.  
 
Comments
Comments: It was an epic day! Okay it wasn't epic, but it was a great day to take off from work and get above tree-line. There was almost no wind, the temps were incredibly mild (almost 62F on Osgood below its intersection with Daniel Webster), the trails had easily avoided snow and almost no ice or water, it was soooo quiet, and we only saw 3 people all day. In these conditions it seemed like we could hike forever without getting tired, or we could just sit and soak up the sun and solitude, so we did both.

The summits are a great place to give thanks and say goodbye to those who have passed away. Thanks Vets.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-11-10 
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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