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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Madison, NH
Trails
Trails: Pine Link, Watson Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, September 16, 2012
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Room for 8-9 cars at the pulloff, but more could fit at widenings or single track pulloffs on the road. The main pulloff was full on my return. The paved section of access road is pretty rough, but the gravel section was in good shape. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No significant crossings. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in pretty good shape. Waterbars functioning; I kicked some (not enough) dehris out of a few that nearly filled. Only a few short spots that could use some brushing. No blowdowns. On the whole in good shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Aside from the usual suggestion of having dogs with soft pads avoid the boulder fields on the peaks, and a few places where small newbie dogs would need an assist, this was a fairly good dog trail; Pepper found it easy going today. The trail doesn't have any significant brooks on it, but but nearing Howker Ridge and between it and Watson there are some stretches of running water in the trail. There are lots of nice stretches that are easy on the footpads; with shade, until going up on the upper summit 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Appalachia was overflowing on the drive up, and there were a few cars at the Pine Link TH on arrival. But we didn't see anybody on Madison and only a one up high on Pine Link/Howker with her two dogs. We didn't stay long on Madison, however, due to strong winds. I had to add two top layers, pants and gloves, and would have been happier with if I had gotten my balaclava out of the pack. Pepper really seemed to be chaged up by the wind; it added to the adventure. But the wind lessened some and made for a delightlful walk down once below treeline. I had forgotten almost everything about this trail, but today I liked it and like Howker, consider it a superior alternative to Valley Way, at least in non-winter conditions.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2012-09-16 
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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