| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Gulf of Slides, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Gulf of Slides Ski Trail, gullies, snowfields |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 18, 2014 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot about 1/2 full when we started up at ~7:30 (parked right next to the Sherburne entrance!), full when we returned at ~2:30, including overflow lot, and cars parked on 16. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Traction, Skis |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The two crossings of the New River are open, but rock-hoppable |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A large spruce blowdown, about 2/3rd's of the way up the trail. Was able to ski around it, up and down. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one in the ravine, looked to be having a great time. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Not a one! |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Some random articles of clothing hung on the first emergency cache (when ascending). |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Jake and I made a judgement call today, and it paid dividends. The snowpack has certainly been affected by the recent rain, as evidenced by the two river crossings being open, and the trail reduced to a thin ribbon of snow in places. Ascending to the base of Main Gully took about 2 hours, and we followed a sketchy boot-ladder up, wearing crampons. Took a run partially to the north of, then in Main Gully. The snowpack was just starting to soften, but the couple inches of new snow was manky at best. Booted up lookers left and crossed over to the snowfields in the southern part of the bowl. Great snow! Booted back up lookers right, and crossed back over, making a third and final run to the south of, then in Main Gully. Best run of the day. Skiing out the GOST was better than we anticipated, though there was some monorail to contend with at times, and little snow on some sections. This will likely be the last weekend where the Sherburne and GOST will be skiable to the parking lot.
Blog post tonight! |
|
 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
|
 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2014-04-18 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
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. |
|
