| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, Airline, Israel Ridge Path, Gray Knob Trail, Spur Trail, Randolph Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 4, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All were easily rock hopped. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several duck unders and step overs on Howker Ridge Tr, including one that caught my pack and tried to take me out. Only one big one on Randolph Path/Short Line that made us go off trail. Several other step overs on the lower portions of Randolph Path. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Marlie had a great time enjoying the snow, sun, and views! The sharp rocks can do a number on a dogs paws but she handled them like a champ. With the soft snow even she postholed a few times. We saw no other dogs today. |
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 | Bugs: |
None yet. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Found some tid bits of trash, a plastic bottle full of water, and a pair of Stabilicers near the bottom of the Spur Tr. |
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 | Comments: |
What an awesome day! We decided on a non traditional loop over these peaks to avoid any crowds and put some more red marker on the map. The views and scenery along Howker Ridge Tr are well worth the extra elevation gain. We saw two others near the start of Howker Ridge Tr and about a dozen between Madison Spring Hut and Mt Adams, then no one from T-Storm Jctn to the end. We brought snowshoes but only used them for a short section on Howker Ridge Tr above the lower Pine Link jctn. They could also have been used to traverse the snowfield along the Gray Knob Tr but the angle of the side slope would have been tough on the ankles. I couldn't resist a running slide down a small snow field coming off of Adams' summit. So much fun! Still lots of snow in spots, over 3 feet, broken up by stretches of bare ground. We postholed quite a bit along the Spur Tr, some over over knees, but there were not long enough stretches of snow to bother with the snowshoes. Very little ice over all. The snow started around the lower junction of Pine Link, was mostly gone above tree line, quite deep again on Israel Ridge Path/Gulfside & Gray Knob Tr, then was gone for good at the bottom of Spur Tr. Congrats to summitseeker for checking off two more 4Ks and sticking with my original route for a couple extra miles.
12.8 mi 5450' elev+ 9 hr 25 min |
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 | Name: |
IQuest |
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 | E-Mail: |
iandanner@hotmail com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2013-05-05 |
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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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