| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Airline, Star Lake Trail, Osgood Trail, Watson Path, Valley Way |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, May 17, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
2 other cars in the lot when we arrived; 4 when we departed |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easily managed |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some blowdowns mainly on Watson from Mt. Madison to Valley Way |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None seen today |
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 | Bugs: |
Moderate at lower elevations, none higher up |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Airline from Appalachia parking lot to Mt. Adams summit was mostly dry with some wet patches and a little snow/ice starting above the Scar Trail junction but never needed spikes or poles. Well signed, well blazed, well cairned the whole way up.
Star Lake from Mt. Adams summit down to Madison Spring Hut was very challenging rock hopping followed by snow/ice patches large and long enough to require poles, gaiters, and micro-spikes. Some postholing and just unstable snowpack generally as it melts away.
Osgood from Madison Spring to Mt. Madison was dry boulders, so a typical Presidential scramble.
Watson from Mt. Madison down to Valley Way was just rough. Blowdowns to navigate but no big deal. Some water crossings but also easy to deal with. Some ice/snow for a while once we left the alpine zone so spikes/poles/gaiters needed. Just a long, steep, very rocky descent but you can follow the cairns and occasional blazes easily.
Last 2.4 miles down Valley Way was easy to follow and mostly dry (and a piace of cake after Watson)!
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|
 | Name: |
Matt S |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-17 |
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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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