dailey7779
Member
Date of Hike: August 10th
Trails: Pine Link, Howker Ridge, Osgood, Madison Gulf, Great Gulf, Six Husbands, Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Airline, Chemin Des Dames, King Ravine, Lowe's Path, Hinks, Spur, Randolph Path, Great Gully, Star Lake, Great Gulf Link
Trail Conditions:
Pine Link Trail / Howker Ridge - Is in good shape, a few muddy spots in the woods, cairns above treeline are easily spotted. Nice approach from the north to Madison
Osgood Trail - Is in perfect shape above treeline, big cairns, easily spotted, footing is rough over boulders. Below treeline a few minor blowdowns but other than that in excellent shape.
Madison Gulf Trail - Very steep towards the top with tricky footing, when wet it's tedious and even when dry it's strenuous if you're not familiar with the trail. The water crossings were all rock hopable and there are small cairns at some of the wider crossings to lead you to the trail on the other side if you lose the trail while figuring out how to cross. The lower section of this trail is much easier on the knees, while the upper section is rocky, roots, and mud.
Great Gulf Trail - In great shape up to the Six Husbands Trail junction. Did not go past this spot but If going past this to the Sphinx or up the headwall expect deteriorating trail conditions as it is usually muddy with minor flooding in spots near the designated tent sites and past Spaulding Lake.
Six Husbands Trail - It's still steep! Rough footing but the trail is in great shape, the ladders will help lead the way to safety, the over-hanging rock cliff can be scrambled under or carefully side shuffled around it using the edge of the ledge. Above treeline the trail is easy to follow.
Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Airline Cutoff, Airline - All in good shape
Chemin Des Dames - Dry but very steep, use caution descending to and through the boulder field, much easier to ascend. Somehow I lost the trail for a section because I was too busy taking pictures, but the trail is easy to follow.
King Ravine - Excessively steep, rough footing and some loose boulder here and there but it's easily followed, there are faded blazes and small cairns to lead the way as you top out.
Lowe's Path - In perfect shape. The trail above treeline is mostly boulders of varying sizes that can be tiring so just keep that in mind
Hinks and Spur Trail: rough footing, with some mud. Trail is slick in spots even when dry. lots of roots and ankle busters to watch out for.
Great Gully Trail: it's a very narrow trail and remote, no problem staying on trail though, it's obvious during the day wouldn't want to be on it at night though. Footing is rough and there are some spots where the conifers hide some holes and rocks so be aware of that, and the trail is excessively steep!
Star Lake Trail - In great shape, steep and rough footing but easily followed.
Comments: A Mighty Magnificent Day in the northern presidential range! Very windy and clouded in during the morning but it cleared up and became a blue sky 100 miles of views by the early afternoon. Great run/hike with a bunch of other coo-coo banana types! Pics / Report
Name: Chris
Email: [email protected]
Trails: Pine Link, Howker Ridge, Osgood, Madison Gulf, Great Gulf, Six Husbands, Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Airline, Chemin Des Dames, King Ravine, Lowe's Path, Hinks, Spur, Randolph Path, Great Gully, Star Lake, Great Gulf Link
Trail Conditions:
Pine Link Trail / Howker Ridge - Is in good shape, a few muddy spots in the woods, cairns above treeline are easily spotted. Nice approach from the north to Madison
Osgood Trail - Is in perfect shape above treeline, big cairns, easily spotted, footing is rough over boulders. Below treeline a few minor blowdowns but other than that in excellent shape.
Madison Gulf Trail - Very steep towards the top with tricky footing, when wet it's tedious and even when dry it's strenuous if you're not familiar with the trail. The water crossings were all rock hopable and there are small cairns at some of the wider crossings to lead you to the trail on the other side if you lose the trail while figuring out how to cross. The lower section of this trail is much easier on the knees, while the upper section is rocky, roots, and mud.
Great Gulf Trail - In great shape up to the Six Husbands Trail junction. Did not go past this spot but If going past this to the Sphinx or up the headwall expect deteriorating trail conditions as it is usually muddy with minor flooding in spots near the designated tent sites and past Spaulding Lake.
Six Husbands Trail - It's still steep! Rough footing but the trail is in great shape, the ladders will help lead the way to safety, the over-hanging rock cliff can be scrambled under or carefully side shuffled around it using the edge of the ledge. Above treeline the trail is easy to follow.
Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Airline Cutoff, Airline - All in good shape
Chemin Des Dames - Dry but very steep, use caution descending to and through the boulder field, much easier to ascend. Somehow I lost the trail for a section because I was too busy taking pictures, but the trail is easy to follow.
King Ravine - Excessively steep, rough footing and some loose boulder here and there but it's easily followed, there are faded blazes and small cairns to lead the way as you top out.
Lowe's Path - In perfect shape. The trail above treeline is mostly boulders of varying sizes that can be tiring so just keep that in mind
Hinks and Spur Trail: rough footing, with some mud. Trail is slick in spots even when dry. lots of roots and ankle busters to watch out for.
Great Gully Trail: it's a very narrow trail and remote, no problem staying on trail though, it's obvious during the day wouldn't want to be on it at night though. Footing is rough and there are some spots where the conifers hide some holes and rocks so be aware of that, and the trail is excessively steep!
Star Lake Trail - In great shape, steep and rough footing but easily followed.
Comments: A Mighty Magnificent Day in the northern presidential range! Very windy and clouded in during the morning but it cleared up and became a blue sky 100 miles of views by the early afternoon. Great run/hike with a bunch of other coo-coo banana types! Pics / Report
Name: Chris
Email: [email protected]
