Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Clay, Mt. Washington, Mt. Isolation, Mt. Monroe, Mt. Franklin, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce - Pine Link, Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail, Lowe's Path, Israel Ridge Trail, Gulfside, Mt. Jefferson Loop, Mt. Clay Loop, Trinity Heights Connector, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lawn Cutoff, Davis Path, Mt. Isolation Spur, Camel Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Eisenhower Loop, Webster Cliff Trail - 6-18-2016

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Clay, Mt. Washington, Mt. Isolation, Mt. Monroe, Mt. Franklin, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, NH

	Trails:	Pine Link, Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail, Lowe's Path, Israel Ridge Trail, Gulfside, Mt. Jefferson Loop, Mt. Clay Loop, Trinity Heights Connector, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lawn Cutoff, Davis Path, Mt. Isolation Spur, Camel Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Eisenhower Loop, Webster Cliff Trail

	Date of Hike:	Saturday, June 18, 2016

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	Appalachia looked full at 4 am. I continued on to Pine Link Trailhead and found an empty parking lot. :)

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	None

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	All trails were in good shape, with blowdowns cleared (except for a couple of new small ones on Davis Path) and waterbars cleaned. On Davis Path between Isolation Trail East and Mt. Isolation, bog bridging is at the end of its lifespan--rotten and rotting.

	Dog-Related Notes:	It was a warm day for pooches. Saw a few... some looked fine/happy, others miserable (boo owners). Northern Presi rocks suitable only for trail-hardened mountain dogs, IMHO.

	Bugs:	None to speak of except for a couple coming down Crawford Path below treeline.

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	Today's plan was a Presi Traverse with an out-and-back of Mt. Isolation. Pine Link is in awesome shape--a surprise really, since I remember we used to refer to it as "Pine Stink." Well, it is Pine Stink no longer and now ranks as one of my favorite trails up Madison! It starts going UP right from the parking lot--yay, a trail that gets to the point, another plus in my book. Saw no one x 2 hours, until the summit of Madison a little after 6 am, where there was a small crowd. Quick water stop at the hut, then up quiet Star Lake Trail--in great shape--to Adams which I had to myself briefly. Beautiful morning up there! Met quite a few onesie-twosies and larger groups doing the Presi Traverse today. Mt. Washington was a noisy zoo since the road race was going on. Hundreds and hundreds of people, and that was before anyone actually crossed the finish line. I refilled my water bladder and tried to make quick work through all the craziness. Once past Tuckerman Junction en route to Isolation, the crowds really thinned out and the alpine scenery was stunning. Mt. Isolation is not as far away as it looks... Okay, that is a lie. It is a really far way down and a really far way back UP--almost 2000 feet of climb--to Camel Trail, but being such a great weather day (sunny, winds in the single digits and temps in the 50s) AND its being almost Summer Solstice, I had no valid excuse for bailing on my intended route. Approaching Mt. Isolation, there are a few mud pits with degrading bog bridges to negotiate. Met ~25 people going to/from Isolation. Back up to Camel Trail and over to Lakes of the Clouds Hut for water, lemonade and brownies. Lots of people on the ridge doing Monroe, Ike, and/or Pierce, a few that I worried about. One told me he got lost on Adams last weekend, then asked me what mountain he was on (Monroe), where Mt. Washington was(!), and if the red-roofed building in the valley looking to the west was the new hotel in Lincoln. I told him he needed to buy a map. ;p I intentionally left Mt. Jackson to do as an upcoming short "calendar day hike." That is my story and I'm sticking to it. That and also because the idea of continuing on to Jackson was about as enticing as a root canal. Encountered about another ~100 people heading down Crawford Path which is really starting to LOOK like the oldest continually maintained trail in the US. Awesome day up there! Thanks to FP and T for the shuttle. :)

	Name:	Snowflea

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2016-06-19

	Link:	https://
		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.