Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington - Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Airline, Lowe's Path, Israel Ridge Trail, Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Cog Tracks - 4-30-2016

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, NH

	Trails:	Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Airline, Lowe's Path, Israel Ridge Trail, Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Cog Tracks

	Date of Hike:	Saturday, April 30, 2016

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	several cars at Appalachia in the a.m. and 10 cars in the hiker's lot on Base road. plenty of parking

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches

	Recommended Equipment:	Light Traction, Traction

	Water Crossing Notes:

	Trail Maintenance Notes:

	Dog-Related Notes:	Zoe did very well, she was so good I shared some of my sandwich with her.

	Bugs:	not yet

	Lost and Found:	found a light weight summer hat and hung it on the sign at the .4 junction to Madison summit.


	Comments:	We put traction on at the VW and Watson Path junction. Hillsounds work well for 3 of us, I used microspikes but it took more effort and care. The top layer of snow gave us just enough traction, with blue ice and early morning temps it slowed us down. Barebooted up Madison. Traction for a short distance heading to Adams, once out of the trees we barebooted to Adams. We used traction for a mile before we reached Jefferson. From the summit of Jefferson no traction was needed. The Washington summit was magnificent empty and peaceful. We walked down the cog tracks to mix things up, fun to do once and not ever again. Ended the day with an amazing sunset and a great day with B.F. E.S. and T.T. Congrats to T.T. for her first time on Jeff and George and possibly her toughest hike yet.

	Name:	Rachel

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2016-04-30

	Link:	https://
		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.