| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Howker Ridge Trail, Valley Way, Brookside, Randolph East |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, May 11, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Randolph east good condition |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bumpus Brook rock hoppable at brookside & valley way junction as was crossing on howker near Hitchcock falls. Crossing on brookside to kelton/inlook appeared doable but challenging due to water levels |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
RMC doing great job. Maybe 10-20 blowdowns to take care of. Most of difficult ones surprisingly on valley way. Went off trail a bit on howker near AT junction |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure but some deep postholes exist above 3000 until treeline |
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 | Bugs: |
Windy so not too bad but black flies are out |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Black EMS glove prob ladies on tree going down valley way |
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|
 | Comments: |
Sweet mostly dry trail conditions on howker until pine link junction around 3,600’ where deep snow pockets in gullies & eroding, elevated monorail on steep sections near treeline significantly slowed down pace & increased effort. Snowshoes recommended probably till June if you have time/patience to take on & off. The exposed howks are snow free & IMO some of rock scrambles w/snow shoes would be tricky w/no snow. I had only microspikes & methodically kicked in steps where needed & used pole to probe snow ahead. All good no significant snow near summit where I went to bareboot. Valley way was a bit sketch w/elevated monorail on slope. Brookside had a few snow/ice patches in shade lower elevation than expected so a person could put back on spikes there. Great, challenging day & falls beautiful! |
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 | Name: |
Ger-mee |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-13 |
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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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