| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Adams, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Great Gulf, Six Husbands, Adams Slide, Bushwhack, Star Lake, Lowe's Path, Gulfside, Buttress |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, July 11, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at GG Wilderness trailhead. No cars on arrival around 8am on Friday. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
2 in the party waded and 1 rock hopped through the West Branch Peabody at the Madison Gulf intersection, where the bridge is out for failed inspection. On the return, there was a forestry worker observing people's behavior at the bridge. I ran into a couple of gentlemen who attempted to cross it and were scolded, without the threatened $5000 fine. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There are a few blow downs on upper section of Great Gulf and, as expected, Buttress. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I don't think I'd take a dog on Adams slide or Buttress. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not bad. Persistent deer fly buzzing around my head below 3000', but not overly aggressive. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Lost another wedding ring. This one was only $22. Black thick band. |
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 | Comments: |
I wanted to leave a report of Adams Slide for those who attempt in the future.
This was the Soule's second trip up, so I had "guides", so to speak, which I'm certain made things faster. We started the whack by going forward where buttress turns right towards the scree field. We might have been off to the left a little near the beginning, but I don't think it matters to much. There are various herd paths going up.
Eventually, we started running into blazes and found at least 5 (pics on FB). Eventually the blazes disappear and any semblance of a trail was complete lost. I've heard this from other reports as well. I think we may have missed a right turn. It still wasn't too bad at this point and what I'd consider normal subalpine whacking.
Eventually we broke out onto some boulders and that's where things took a turn for the worse. There's a clear herd path, but I'm not sure if it's the old Adam's slide trail at all. It got THICK. It took us about 40 minutes to make 60' of elevation gain at one point. Footing is bad, trees are thick and hard as rocks, nothing is safe to hold on to. I know that seems contradictory, but somehow it's true.
After giving our blood sacrifice, we eventually made it into the scree field that is the Adam's summit. We were able to find cairns shortly after and follow them up.
At the summit cone, we all took slightly different routes. Mine was to the right where I met up with star lake trail just below the chimney. I believe this is the original route and it seemed worn as an intersection would be. The Soule's made a more direct ascent and skipped the "fun" part of Star Lake, beating me up to the summit.
We messed around up on the summit, visited the hut for a rest with water, and descended Buttress, which was just as poorly maintained and difficult as promised. We camped at the signed site at the very start of the Buttress trail, which we had setup before our ascent. A fine site. Next day was Wamsutta, Chandler and out, which I won't leave a report for, but was also a blast.
Overall, a great time, but not for everyone. We got very cut up. It takes a special type of person to enjoy these adventures and I'm grateful for knowing some of them. They are a rare breed. |
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 | Name: |
Bougie Bob and Wandering Soules |
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 | E-Mail: |
rcorsaro@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-07-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/15092886338 |
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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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