NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, NH
Trails
Trails: Airline, Gulfside, Osgood Trail, Valley Way
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: The parking lot was close to full when I arrived at 10:45PM for my car camp. The lot was packed to capacity when I got back to my car at 5:00PM.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None on the Airline trail, small walk overs on the Valley Way trail. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: All blowdowns have been cleared away. Signage is very good at all junctions. The cairns ascending Mt. Adams are much smaller than most along the Presidentials. They would be difficult to see in bad weather. I was glad I wasn't hiking this summit in dense fog. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I did see a few dogs along the way. None seem to have any issues with the sharp rocks on Madison. There is no water along the Airline trail so bring extra water if you plan on hiking this route. There is plenty of water on the Valley Way trail - no issues there.  
Bugs
Bugs: A surprising amount of black flies and horse flies hiking down the Valley Way trail in the afternoon. Just enough to be annoying, but not enough for me to pull out my bug net.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None. 
 
Comments
Comments: I love being above treeline so hiking up the Airline trail was the perfect choice for me. It is the most direct route to Mt. Adams and has stunning views! The Airline trail climbs quickly to treeline at approximately 3 miles. At this point it is a completely exposed trail so take care in bad weather. As mentioned above, the cairns on this trail are much smaller than the ones I normally see at this elevation. I would not want to be hiking in dense fog on this trail! I am always amazed how quickly weather changes on these higher summits. I went from being warm to freezing and the winds changed from calm to 'knock you over' in a matter of minutes. I always carry a compressible down vest just in case and I was glad I did on this summit!

FYI, I thought the rocks on Mount Madison were much trickier than Mount Adams, especially coming down! The actual summit of Mt Madison can be confusing. There is a small metal marker on the highest rock pile near the trail sign.

Valley Way is a viewless, rocky and wet descent for the first mile or so. After that it levels out (mostly) and is a good descent option.




 
Name
Name: solowoodlandwanderer 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bugsandthings@comcast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-07-22 
Link
Link: https://www.facebook.com/roberta.m.dellanno/media_set?set=a.10208911955629254.1073742217.1626231855&type=3&pnref=story 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved