NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, NH
Trails
Trails: Valley Way, Watson Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, January 5, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: No lot parking, only parking on road at 8:20 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Traction, Ice Axe 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The only notable water crossing was on Watson Path, we used trekking poles to determine ice strength 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Difficulty finding blazes on Watson path. Many of the signs on the trails we used lacked mileage. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Only footprints, one shoe located at trailhead 1 friendly squirrel 
Bugs
Bugs: none 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Found 1 Kahtoola Micospike (pink) found on Watson Path. Left at trailhead kiosk. 
 
Comments
Comments: No parking in the lot at 8:20. This hike was to attempt Mt. Madison and Mt. Adams, but only summited Madison due to time constraints and increased wind speed after sunset. Valley Way had been well traveled, no need for snowshoes, only microspikes, until the lower Watson Path trail head. We broke the trail on Watson Path using snowshoes including a stream crossing. It was difficult to find the trail blazes on Watson Path and the trail was steep and very icy. There is a beautiful waterfall to the right on the Path, it was a good challenge and we only passed one hiker descending the trail. He regretted taking the Path due to the quantity of ice and its steepness. We summited Madison with clear skies and beautiful views. As we descended the sun started to set painting the sky and mountains pink. We descended and found three individuals who were ill equipped with no extra layers. They were using snowshoes on boulders as they had no microspikes. After unsuccessfully searching for the Adams trailhead during the evening, we headed down Valley way to get out of the wind. Valley way from the summit was well traveled and broken in. The monorail was difficult to stay on due to "butt sledders".

We encountered 6 other hikers, though there were certainly more nearby. No dogs seen, but footprints identified.  
Name
Name: Sammy 
E-Mail
E-Mail: sshepard3@une.edu 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-01-05 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved