| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, Valley Way, Lower Bruin Cut-Off, Watson Path, Kelton Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, June 19, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
When we arrived at the Randolph East trailhead at 8 this morning there was already a full row of cars in the lot. Plenty of room, however, for another row. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All rock-hoppable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in great shape, considering the landscape up high in the Presis. We lost the Kelton Trail at an inopportune time near Kelton Crag and had to make a tough scramble down a craggy cliff, but picked up the trail again down below. (Other than this diversion, the Kelton Trail is a joy.) There's one big blowdown on the lower portion of the Kelton, a straddler. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The northern Presis are big, tough mountains for any dog. Howker Ridge is a reasonable route up Madison for dogs, although there are several scrambles that take some care. Tuckerman did fine, but Polly needed a lift up three of them. Also, from Hitchcock Falls all the way to Madison Hut there isn't reliable water, so carry extra. |
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 | Bugs: |
Too windy for bugs until the last three miles when we were headed out, then some annoying mosquitoes and gnats but nothing terrible. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A spectacular day view-wise, but oh the wind! We nearly got blasted off the summit. But Howker Ridge is a great, if somewhat longer, alternative to the usually crowded routes up to the Madison-Adams area. (Thank you, Rocketman, for the recommendation.) Madison is the first northern Presi for both Tuck and Polly, who had a terrific time but are tired, tired, tired now. Photos at link below. |
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 | Name: |
The Feathered Hat |
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 | E-Mail: |
stevebjerklie at yahoo dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-06-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.flickr.com/photos/99682097@N00/sets/72157627012285284/ |
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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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