| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water is higher due to warm temps and rain. Snow bridges are not to be trusted. I was able to rock hop all crossings |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some blows downs due to recent high wind |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The most violent trail conditions I’ve ever experienced. Down low consisted of solely ice, no snow. About .6 miles in things switched over from ice to soft snow. At 1.25 miles things become very soft and you start to occasionally post hole. 1.5 miles in and you will be hoping the mono rail holds and most of the time it will with only the occasional knee to crotch deep post hole. 2 miles in and you’ll begin to loose all hope, you’ll sink crotch deep despite staying on the monorail. Over 2.5 miles in and about a mile from treeline you ‘ll give up and turn around. As you begin to descend you are constantly thrown down on your hands and knees. You are at your wits end. If this sounds like an enjoyable hiking itinerary to you then I’d recommend this trail, if not I’d avoid it. I’ve done lots of spring hiking but no conditions have ever been as bad as this. Conditions only deteriorate the higher you go. I passed a lady about 1.5 miles in where the conditions were still manageable and even she was post holing with snowshoes. It’s not good out there folks. My battered body is proof |
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 | Name: |
Lea |
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 | E-Mail: |
lea_giguere@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-03-06 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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