| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Gulfside, Airline |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, April 10, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
6 cars at 8am, the same at 4pm |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
a couple of runoff brooks. easy to cross |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Valley Way-1 stepover, three duck unders |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We took advantage of a great weather day to tag these two peaks. Blue skies and very little wind. Wore micro spikes all day. Two of us had Hillsounds, one had Kahtoolas. Carried snowshoes.
In the morning, Valley Way was solid pack from Appalachia to about .5 from the Madison Hut. From this point upward to the Hut, a monorail is starting. In some cases, you can find footing on the monorail, in other sections, its easier to step on either side. Very little ice at the moment.
The climb to Madison on the Osgood Trail was a mixed bag. There are areas with thick ice, many bare rocks, and sections with a sheet of snow. The snow was quite soft by 11 am. Its possible to make the climb without micro spikes, however, they are beneficial on the descent. If you have an old pair, bring them.
Gulfside consist of snow, ice and bare rock. The section near the junction with Airline had standing water and mud.
We spoke to several hikers that had summitted Adams via the snow fields. Once you reach the junction of Gulfside and Arline, there are a couple of choices. Stick to the trail/cairns which had snow down low, ice and bare rocks as you climb. The upper section of Airline itself has many sections of ice and bare rock. The three of us each took a slightly different route up. The snow fields on the far right were mostly firm with a few crusty areas. You can stay on the snow fields and curve left towards the summit. Hillsounds were sufficient. There is another snow field just to the right of Airline which is pretty much a straight shot to the summit, which avoids the majority of the rocks.
Warm temperatures this week will definitely impact current conditions. Be prepared for softening snow and ice, and slush as the day warms. Postholing near the outer edge on the packed trail is inevitable.
|
|
 | Name: |
Diane Stuart |
|
 | E-Mail: |
stucroftfarm@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-10 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
