| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, Durand Scar, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Brookside, Lower Bruin, Watson Path, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Air Line, Upper Bruin, Scar Trail, Scar Loop, Valley Way |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 14, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Snyder Brook is still frozen and easily crossed. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Started off in spikes for 2 miles of very heavily traveled and hard packed Valley Way. Just below 3000 feet (snowshoes on now) did a short bushwhack down to Brookside to pick up the section I needed, Kelton to Watson. Right on Watson, up VW, down Lower Bruin, and thence up.. up.. UP! Watson Path.
This was the perfect winter day to tackle Watson as the snow was 95% supportive in snowshoes. It is quite a steep path. (At one point I reached down to raise my televators... only to realize they were already up.) Snowshoes off once I hit the rocks at treeline. Was able to bareboot from this point, up and down Madison, and partway over to Thunderstorm Junction. Spikes on for the little snowfields that must be crossed on Gulfside.
Out and back to T'storm Jct., then down Airline (bareboots), down and up Upper Bruin (snowshoes). Snow was sticky on this short trail, so I was kind of dreading my next blueline, Scar and Scar Loop. Oddly the snow was much less sticky on Scar than on Upper Bruin, and I mostly floated on top of the unbroken snow.
Scar Trail is really quite lovely. Durand Scar itself is largely free of snow. Was interesting downclimbing the steeper side in snowshoes. (I was feeling contrary and hiked the loop opposite of what the WMG suggests.) A couple of out and backs to pick up the rest of Scar Trail and that goofy piece of Watson Path between Scar and VW. Those blue blazes are getting faded..
Spikes back on for the descent to Appalachia on VW. Gorgeous, sunny, calm day to be up high. What a gift. |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-15 |
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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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