| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Scar Trail, Air Line, Gulfside, Osgood Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, November 1, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Handful of cars at Appalachia today |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
didn't see any. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
nothing on the trails |
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 | Comments: |
Trail Conditions for Valley Way, Scar and Airline. I was on the Valley Way trail at 8:00 am today, a few minor steps overs or duck unders in first mile or so. I met a couple a few miles in who had to turn around because they said Valley Way was blocked by blowdowns further up. I cut onto Scar Trail and had no trouble at all until the last section before it joins Air Line. At that point there was a significant blowdown of several trees that required professional work, I cautiously went around the blowdown area by going into the woods. The first part of Air Line was ok but that didn't last for long. I ran into a series of multiple tree blow downs that probably ran for 200 yards. To clear these up will require professional chain saw, ax and handsaw work by a crew. It could be several days work. I slowly went off trail into the woods, ground was frozen so although going was very slow I felt a little safer. The blow downs continued off and on until the tree line. The climb up Adams was slow and tedious because of rime ice and a pretty solid wind. Fortunately at the top I met two other hikers who had great knowledge of the trails and Mt. Adams and I followed them down more confidently then I had gone up. We all went to the Hut and then made short work of Mt. Madison (very little ice, mainly dry rocks). At that point we decided to tackle Valley Way down to Route 2. Until shortly before the cut off for Scar Trail we were met with numerous blowdowns, most of which were multiple tree. With a 14 inch arborist Silky curved blade handsaw we were able to cut through these and toss the brush off the trail. At one blowdown it was such a mess we tunneled under it (6-8 feet) and did not attempt to do more than that because it looked too dangerous. At another point there was a 35 foot, maybe 12 to 14 inch base diameter evergreen that fell right down the middle of the trail. The branches totally blocked the trail and we left that alone because it was simply too dangerous. Made it back to the parking lot at 4:38 after the most rewarding, difficult hike I have experienced. I cannot thank the wonderful couple enough who let me join them and made the hiking very enjoyable and the clearing of the trail possible. |
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 | Name: |
Bruce |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-11-01 |
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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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