| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams , NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Star Lake Trail, Lowe's Path, Israel Ridge Path, Gulfside |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 21, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
N/A (stayed at Madison Hut the night before and after) |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few wet sections between the hut and Star Lake. Signs are all in place, and the new signage at Thunderstorm Junction is excellent. No blowdowns since this loop is entirely above treeline. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Star Lake Trail is not a good trail for dogs - the large amount of rough talus would hurt their paws (I saw a dog that was in pain from the above-treeline rocks). They also probably wouldn't be able to do the very steep scrambles in the upper part of the trail. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None. The wind may have helped with that. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
"Not Horrible" was the theme of this loop. Having waited until the wind dried the rocks above treeline after the rain early in the morning, I headed up Star Lake Trail to summit Adams. It starts off climbing moderately in the scrub - it's rough, but not horrible. Then it climbs more steeply up a long section of exposed talus - this section is challenging, but not horrible. Watch carefully for the cairns that mark the trail - a few of them aren't obvious, but I didn't have too much trouble following the trail. Near the top of the talus field, the trail turns right and climbs some very steep scrambles - these required concentration and all four limbs, but was not horrible since the rock was dry (it would've been horrible if the rock was wet). The final exit from the scrambles isn't obvious, but it exits right from the chute. The short remaining portion to the summit is very rough but more gradual.
The wind at the summit was blowing fairly strong, but not horrible. Lowe's Path down to Thunderstorm Junction is still very rough but a moderate descent. I redlined that little portion of Israel Ridge up there since I still needed that. Then I followed Gulfside Trail back to the hut. Several sections between Thunderstorm Junction and the junction with Air Line are paved with flat rocks - those were convenient. The final descent down to the hut is fairly steep but has rock steps in places.
This was an enjoyable loop, though I think a significant factor in that was that I wasn't carrying much weight. Still, a hike above treeline with nothing horrible is a pretty good hike! |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-07-21 |
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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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