| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, April 17, 2014 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Snow bridges on crossings are all gone for the season. First crossing of Dry Brook easy on exposed rocks and ledge. Other crossings along the rest of Dry Brook are a combination of breakable crust, rocks, and slush - all easily traversed with minor traction. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails in good shape - no blowdowns noted. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Kirby had no issues except breaking through the crust on the water crossings. She was looking for an excuse to take a swim, so it wasn't an issue. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Snow fleas were rampant. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Several shirts hanging from various branches along the way up FW. None looked safe to disturb :) |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
After looking at the MWO forecast and webcam views, decided at the last minute that yet another above treeline trip was needed. Got to Lafayette Campground at 3PM and headed up FW. Beautiful ice formations along the brook slowed me up as I had to photograph so many of them. All waterfalls running nicely; water flow was good but not extreme, so all crossings were easy. Wore spikes until the trail headed out of the ravine - switched to snowshoes for the rest of the ascent. Crusty thin monorail poked out here and there, but there wasn't much issue staying on top. 3-6 inches of fresh powder covered the crusty surface. Where exposed to the sun, the trail was very soft - another hiker passing by with spikes only was postholing several feet deep in areas. Summit is mostly bare rocks and mud with bits of clear ice and small drifts - was able to bareboot most of the ridge until switching to spikes again for the ascent of Lafayette. Hit the summit by 6:30 and stayed for sunset. Packed up and headed down with spikes only to the hut - minor drifts, rocks, and ice. Switched on the headlamp at the hut, which was occupied by a few scruffy folks (I assume some AMC guys getting things ready for summer)? Gave them a wave through the window and headed down Bridle Path. All steeps were fairly well covered with crusty snow, so no problems descending. Cold night firmed things up enough, so was able to make it down without putting on the snowshoes. Car by 9 PM - great day for a loop hike. |
|
 | Name: |
NeoAkela |
|
 | E-Mail: |
neoakela@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2014-04-17 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.whitemountainimages.org |
|
|
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. |
|
