| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Adams, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, Parapet Trail, Star Lake Trail, Air Line, Gulfside, Air Line Cutoff, Upper Bruin, Valley Way, Lower Bruin, Watson Path, Brookside, Randolph Path |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, August 9, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Randolph East Trailhead was only half full at 8:30am (whereas Appalachia was overflowing 1/2 mile in each direction). |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easy rock hops. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Parapet Trail needs work - it is very overgrown: in many places, one really had to push through encroaching trees that are short but sturdy (sturdy enough to withstand the alpine zone winds).
There were several blowdowns as well, but I don't remember which trails they were on. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not a great route for dogs - the rocks above treeline would be tough on paws. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Most of the route had essentially no bugs, but right at the summit of Adams summit, there were a lot of biting bugs, so we minimized our time there.
Mosquitoes were active when we returned to the trailhead around sunset. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
These days, with all the wildfire smoke, one should check https://www.airnow.gov or https://www4.des.state.nh.us/airdata/AirQualityForecast.html in addition to the weather.
We saw only one pair of people on all of Howker Ridge Trail. At the top of Howker Ridge Trail we decided to forego the out-and-back to Madison (we already had planned 5400' gain, which was enough), so we descended Osgood to reach Mt. Adams via Parapet and Star Lake Trails. While ascending Star Lake Trail, we saw one man with a bleeding leg, and another who had sprained his ankle in his first 5 minutes of descending from Adams. So take your time descending this pile of rocks!
Madison Spring Hut is open, and we were very happy to be able to refill water bottles there on our way down. |
|
 | Name: |
mathbp |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-08-11 |
|
 | 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. |
|
