| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Star Lake Trail, Lowes Path, Great Gulf Trail, Airline, Upper Bruin, Valley Way, Fallsway, Maple Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Still a couple spots at Appalachia trailhead available on Tuesday 7/11/2023 when I arrived @ around fashionably late (for me up at 4am) 10am for hike up to Madison Springs Hut. Maybe one or two available upon my return on Wednesday 7/12/2023 at around 3pm-ish. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. I was told by two hikers that I encountered on Valley Way on Tuesday 7/11/2023 that Monday's Valley Way trail conditions were far more extreme: up to knees high water on what would be normally ankle deep minor stream/runoff crossings. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
First Slyvan Way sign has fallen over; rotted tree it was attached to had its roots eroded by runoff.
Maybe 1 blowdown on Valley Way. Too heavy to pickup. Needs sawing. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few, including Scout, a 9 year old, small beagle like mix with an RMC caretaker on Great Gulf trail. Both pup and owner very friendly. |
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 | Bugs: |
A few, but not many, thankfully. I wore no DEET or other repelllents. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. I lost a beloved OR sun-repellent hat at Hut or on trail. Drat!
If you find it, please lmk, I'll pay shipping or meet you somewhere for a return. |
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 | Comments: |
I hiked up Valley Way trail on Tuesday 7/11/2023, and after dropping sleeping bag and weighty stuff at Madison Springs Hut, I continued up Mt Madison and returned to hut for night.
Had beautiful weather for both days Tues/Wed 7/11-12/2023. May have been the first 2 nice weather days in July. Maybe some sprinkles as I retreated down the Valley Wayn on Wednesday. I'm told that in June the presies saw only 2 nice, sunny days out of 30!
Hut stay was great. Croo and other hikers were friendly and chatty. Good weather always helps everyone's outlook, too.
Star Lake trail scramble to Mt Adams was a hoot, although I would not recommend for descent or at all if wet. My ascent was mostly on dry rocks, esp on the steeper sections.
Great Gulf trail from Lowes Path/Thunderstorm Junction was a lovely delight, just as I remembered it. Gorgeous sight lines and marvelously textured stone appointments underfoot, much in contrast to the rough talus and like on other Great Gulf trail sections between Adams and Jefferson, Lowes Path,etc. For an added bonus I heard water flowing beneath one of the flat stone paved sections of the Great Gulf trail. Woot woot! Ditto on Star Lake trail, although certainly not on a flat section, not much of that up there. :-)
Upper Bruin cutover for Airline to Valley Way seemed far more steep and slippery than I recalled, but oh well.
Finally, taking Fallsway and Maple Path RMC trails near bottom of Valley Way was a welcome alternative to Valkey Way's monotony. Besides, all the waterfalls were going nearly full steam.
Had a couple of minor spills walking down. Only arm scratches. Very wet & muddy, slippery conditions on trails emphasizes need for more caution especially while descending. NH Fish & Game's incident reports of trail falling injuries and carry outs underlines this awareness.
Another great day in the mountains. Doesn't get any better! :-)
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 | Name: |
Mike |
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 | E-Mail: |
fourseasonhiker@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-07-15 |
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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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