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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH
Trails
Trails: Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail, Lowes Path, Spur Trail, Randolph Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 4, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Appalachia was already full prior to 7 AM. We found a few spaces at Randolph East. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Rock hoppable 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Cleaned up some deadfall. I don't recollect any blowdowns. Portions of upper Howker Ridge were brushy. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: I wouldn't recommend the extended above treeline portion due to the sharp rock and crevasses. 
Bugs
Bugs: Minimal 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Howker Ridge Trail was damp this morning, as the fog didn't start to burn off until we had nearly cleared treeline. There was a slight dusting of snow/occasional ice (insignificant) on the north side of rocks above about 5,000 feet. South/west/east facing rock was bare. We opted to ascend Star Lake for this reason, which was fine and mostly dry.

Madison Hut is boarded up and the water spigot has been disassembled. Crag Camp is also closed.

For descent, we took the Spur Trail, which had some slippery roots/rocks/leaves, but otherwise was fine. The Randolph Path thereafter is fairly gradual, and was generally dry with some leaf cover.

We saw no other hikers on Howker Ridge Trail, Spur Trail, or Randolph Path. Had Madison to ourselves, but there was a small crowd on Adams. Sort of felt like the old days.

Foliage is past peak, but still some nice colors in places, including King Ravine.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-10-04 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
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.

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