Great Gulf

[peakbagger-paul]

Has anyone been in the Great Gulf recently? I'm thinking of climbing Washington on Saturday via the Great Gulf Trail but I don't know how high the water levels are there and no one has posted a trail condition report from that area. Thanks.

 

[AndyF]

I hiked this yesterday. I avoided the crossing of Parapet Brook by taking the AT (Old Jackson Rd, Madison Gulf) from PNVC. However I met someone who had crossed it and said it was fine. In anticipation of some high water I brought along my sandals and a hiking pole, but only used the pole and kept my feet out of the water. The trail itself was wet and care had to be taken on slippery rocks and roots. Up the headwall you are basically climbing up a waterfall to for the first half, then a rockslide.

So my advice is bring a hiking pole (or two), allow extra time for slippery trail conditions, and take care with your footsteps.

 

[TDawg]

I was up in the Gulf the 5th through the 8th and it was VERY WET. Parapet brook crossing was a non issue. Lots and lots of wet areas on the trail. There are a few small crossings in the area of the Sphinx Tr. junction that were lacking a stepping stone or two. My feet were real wet anyways so I just slogged through a couple of them.

On a side note, we took Madison Gulf Tr. back out to Pinkham and it was the muddiest piece of #$@t of a trail I've been on in a long time. The AT traffic has done a number on it in this recent wet spell.