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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, NH
Trails
Trails: Howker Ridge Trail, Valley Way, Brookside, Randolph East
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Randolph east good condition 
Surface Conditions
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 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
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
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
Dog-Related Notes: Sure but some deep postholes exist above 3000 until treeline 
Bugs
Bugs: Windy so not too bad but black flies are out 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Black EMS glove prob ladies on tree going down valley way 
 
Comments
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!  
Name
Name: Ger-mee 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2023-05-13 
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.

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