| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower, Pierce, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Valley Way, Osgood, Gulfside/Airline, Lowe’s, Israel Ridge, Gulfside, Mount Jefferson Loop, Mount Clay Loop, Cog, bushwhack, Crawford Path, Mount Monroe loop, bushwhack, Mount Eisenhower loop, Webster Cliff |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 31, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns on Valley Way |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Valley Way was in good conditions when we started up in snowshoes in the dark. The snowshoe trench was a bit narrow toward the top, with quite deep off-trench plunging as soon as you stepped out of the trench. We switched to spikes shortly past the hut as the rocks did not have much snow but weren’t icy enough for crampons.
Snow was very firm through Thunderstorm Jct, and we faced some deep drifting between there Edmands Col. Snow was pretty scoured going up Jefferson, and we could either walk on top or bootpack easily. It was handy to have either an axe or poles going up Jefferson. Jefferson to Washington was uneventful in spikes.
From Washington to Eisenhower, it was helpful to have a bit more traction than well-worn microspikes provide (hillsounds or newer spikes worked well, snowshoes worked ok) — there was some ice under thin snow and some very firm snow. Axe was handy going up Monroe and on some descents.
Eisenhower to Pierce had been well-packed by the time we were there. We had a mix of snowshoes+spikes, and those in spikes weren’t churning up the trail. Thanks to everyone who packed this nicely earlier in the day, and definitely still bring your snowshoes! Pierce to 302 was a highway. |
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 | Name: |
cmehike |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-02-01 |
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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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