Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
FR72, bushwhack, Great Gulf Link, Great Gulf Trail, Osgood Cutoff, Osgood Trail, Daniel Webster Scout Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Dolly Copp campground is closed for public access due to construction. A sign on the road provides direction to the temporary lot for the Daniel Webster Trail. It is a small area by the forest road 72 gate. It can accommodate about 4 to 6 vehicles. No vehicles allowed in front of gate or along road. There is no accommodation for the north terminus of the Great Gulf Link trail. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Brook on forest road 72 is bridged. Otherwise no significant crossings |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in generally good condition. There are a few blow downs on the Daniel Webster Scout Trail that obstruct the path and requires straddle over, duck under, or walk around. The tree falls on the other trails were easy step overs.
Tree line warning sign on the Daniel Webster Trail is faded but readable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not much water above tree line. Mica schist may abrade dog paws. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few near the summit on the leeward side. Not a problem. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I had to improvise a new route for a loop trip to Mt Madison from Dolly Copp due to the construction. I followed forest road 72 beyond the closed gate. There are three detour signs along the road. I decided to continue on the road beyond the intersection with the Daniel Webster Scout Trail in order to work my way to the Great Gulf Link. At a fork I took the lower road to the left and avoided the higher road to the right (ski trail). Once I decided I was to the south of the Dolly Copp Campground I bushwhacked the short distance downhill through open forest down to the Great Gulf Link Trail. Thereafter I was on established trails until I returned to forest road 72 after descending the Daniel Webster Scout Trail.
Both the Osgood Trail and the Daniel Webster Scout trails are steep and rocky. Luckily, the rocks were dry today. When wet these surfaces are potentially slick. Very little mud anywhere. A couple of spots of trickling water on the Daniel Webster Scout Trail.
Great views from the alpine zone including the Great Gulf and its surrounding peaks.
Met two guys doing and in and back to Mt Washington on the Great Gulf Trail, a man from Lowell finishing a segment of the AT, and Meaghan from Litchfield NH at the summit. Many AT northbound hikers.
Saw a small dead bird on the Osgood Cut-Off that had a bluish back and a white belly.
Heard and then saw a black bear just off the Daniel Webster Scout trail at low elevation. The bear failed to climb up one tree and then was going up another tree. The bear seemed to want no part of me.
Saw a brown animal leap in the brush beside forest road 72 and then I heard a barking sound. Perhaps it was a coyote.
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 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
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 | E-Mail: |
waumbek@roadrunner.com |
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 | Date Submitted: |
2021-09-14 |
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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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