| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Air Line, Gulfside, Osgood Trail, Watson Path, Valley Way |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 12, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Only three other vehicles in the Appalachia lot when I started (one of them belonged to a trailhead steward volunteer), and the same amount when I returned. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues with any crossings. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several blowdowns on Watson Path. Some are easy to get past, others not so much. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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|
 | Bugs: |
A few buzzing about at lower elevations, but practically nonexistent otherwise. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found a glove and a set of ski sunglasses, which I left at the kiosk at the Appalachia lot. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Classic mid-May mixed bag of trail conditions today, although conditions were better than I thought they would be.
Air Line was completely snow and ice-free until about a half-mile before the Scar Trail junction; after that point, the trail was about a 60/40 mix of spring snow/monorail and bare ground. The trail eventually did have consistent snow coverage, albeit for a super short distance below treeline. Above treeline, Air Line was almost totally snow and ice free.
Gulfside and Osgood were bare except for a couple short sections in the scrub near the Madison Spring Hut. Watson Path pretty much mirrored Air Line, although I'd say the former had a little less snow overall.
I barebooted about 90% of the hike and wore beater spikes off and on going down Watson Path for the other 10%. Overall, the snow situation up here ain't bad, and if the rain and warm temps forecasted for this week hold true, I wouldn't be surprised if all of these trails are completely snow and ice free by the end of next weekend. |
|
 | Name: |
Spencer |
|
 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-12 |
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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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