| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Great Gulf Trail, Osgood Trail, Parapet Trail, Star Lake Trail, Daniel Webster Scout Trail, Great Gulf Link |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 4, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at Great Gulf Trailhead - two other cars in the AM and three when I got back in the afternoon. WMNF pass required or pay $5 (I think) at the iron ranger. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All crossings were either bridged or easy step overs. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
See notes, below. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn’t see any. |
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 | Bugs: |
None at all thanks to the wind & low temps, but there were a couple lower down on Daniel Webster Trail within a couple of miles or so of Dolly Copp. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found a new love & appreciation for the northern Presi’s!!! |
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 | Comments: |
Great Gulf up to Osgood Tentsite was in great shape & clear of blowdowns.
Between Osgood Tentsite & Osgood Junction there were several. I cleared a few 4”-6” that were directly across the trail, but there are a handful more that are easy step overs or walk unders.
No issues above treeline except for crossing Parapet Trail. It’s pretty grown in in several stretches making it difficult to see your footing.
Descending Daniel Webster there were several more blowdowns. I again cleared a few, but there are still some easy stepovers/duck unders just below treeline in the middle couple of miles. There’s a little mud & standing water where it levels out in the last ~1.5ish miles before Dolly Copp campground also, but nothing major.
Awesome loop & unexpectedly empty of other hikers for a holiday weekend! I only saw a handful of people going up Osgood, and saw one brave soul at the junction of Parapet & Madison Gulf Trails. She said it was super steep but mostly dry, and definitely recommended against descending Madison Gulf. Madison Hut was pretty busy so I didn’t stay long, then I saw a few people descending Madison as I was going up. The last hikers I saw were coming up Watson Path & we all hit the summit at the same time, then I didn’t see anyone else until I got to Dolly Copp campground!
All trails were in great shape except for the few minor things noted above.
The weather held out pretty well with temps in the 50’s at the start & somewhere in the 30’s around the hut & summit. Winds were whipping above treeline with around 30-40 mph sustained & much higher gusts, which definitely lowered the wind chill. The cloud line seemed to hover around 5500’ or so and it obscured the wide ranging views of the valleys at times, but I caught a few nice view here & there. Brought a whole mixed bag of layers for this outing & absolutely needed most of it! |
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 | Name: |
DadOutThere |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-05 |
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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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