S B - Jun 29, 2020 10:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
Brutal
I had gotten away from carrying my AMC Guide book over the years, and lesson learned. We enjoyed a great, challenging, and rewarding hike up the Howker Ridge Trail and, for whatever reason, thought we'd go down Watson Path. We made it fine - meaning we picked our way down giant, erratic, dicey footing of weather-blasted granite scree, wet roots, loose rock, and water-eroded trough, covering about 1 mile in about 2hrs and got off the trail at the first offering. We were exhausted and mentally spent from carefully planning out every single step, jump, lurch, and leap - but no blood was shed. Would NOT recommend down-hiking Watson Path under any conditions. Can't imagine it's any better going up. I'm not a Strava guy, but it would be interesting to see...
WhiteLief - Sep 17, 2006 2:19 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
Don't Go Down This Way
We did Madison via Air Line to the hut, then Osgood to the summit. Beautiful day for hiking. Up time was just over three hours, including a leisurely stop at the hut. We went down the Watson Path. The first half mile is rock hopping over some basically miserable terrain. Then the trail goes into the woods and straight down. The woods are damp enough that everything is wet. The first 1.5 miles took us about 2 hrs 20 minutes.
I would definitely say if you are thinking of this trail, use if for up, not down. It is very steep and slippery.
S B - Jun 29, 2020 10:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 27, 2020
BrutalI had gotten away from carrying my AMC Guide book over the years, and lesson learned. We enjoyed a great, challenging, and rewarding hike up the Howker Ridge Trail and, for whatever reason, thought we'd go down Watson Path. We made it fine - meaning we picked our way down giant, erratic, dicey footing of weather-blasted granite scree, wet roots, loose rock, and water-eroded trough, covering about 1 mile in about 2hrs and got off the trail at the first offering. We were exhausted and mentally spent from carefully planning out every single step, jump, lurch, and leap - but no blood was shed. Would NOT recommend down-hiking Watson Path under any conditions. Can't imagine it's any better going up. I'm not a Strava guy, but it would be interesting to see...
WhiteLief - Sep 17, 2006 2:19 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
Don't Go Down This WayWe did Madison via Air Line to the hut, then Osgood to the summit. Beautiful day for hiking. Up time was just over three hours, including a leisurely stop at the hut. We went down the Watson Path. The first half mile is rock hopping over some basically miserable terrain. Then the trail goes into the woods and straight down. The woods are damp enough that everything is wet. The first 1.5 miles took us about 2 hrs 20 minutes.
I would definitely say if you are thinking of this trail, use if for up, not down. It is very steep and slippery.