| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Gulfside, Air Line, Osgood Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, December 31, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Spots available @ Appalachia at 7:30. The lot is one giant sheet of ice. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None of significance on this route. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
About four felled trees on Valley Way. There is one approaching the tentsite that can either be crawled under or tip-toed around on the valley side. The others do not impede forward progress. No issues with signs, blazes or cairns. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one enjoying the day. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found below the tentsite spur: a light blue water bottle - maybe 20 oz. and filled with solid ice. I brought it down to the kiosk. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Valley Way is hard packed and well tracked. The only thing keeping me from calling it a legitimate sidewalk are remnants of postholers past - especially evident approaching the tentsite. There are a few spots where the trail is visible and a few others where some blue ice flows are present. Above treeline snow is very supportive but there are lots of rocks showing on these trail segments. Based on intel from yesterday's posters I left my snowshoes in the car (thank you!). I wore the Hillsound crampon variants the entire trip and was pleased though spikes probably would have been fine. Of course with tonight's weather event trail conditions will no doubt change anyhow.
My original intent was just to visit Madison but when I got to the hut mid-morning I was greeted with sun, a few higher clouds and near zero wind. With these perfect conditions I made a bee line to Adams then back to the hut and then up and down Madison. The entire time I was above the trees there was barely any wind at all and only when I began to head out did the skies start to become grey. In addition to the quiet weather it was also a quiet day on these trails - I probably crossed paths with a dozen or so others on and in between the peaks. It truly was what I call a 'stolen' day...and a fantastic way to close out 2018. |
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 | Name: |
HMJ |
|
 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-31 |
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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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