| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Herd path, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, herd path, Fire Warden's Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 11, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the end of Little River Road. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Everything is bridged. Part of the track for the NTT herd path currently involves walking straight up the middle of Little River. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I was dismayed to find that someone has cut blazes into at least two trees at the bottom of the FWT, one being the skinny tree right in the middle of the NTT herd path. These cuts look pretty recent, perhaps done today. :( The FWT has its usual walkunders that have been there for years, none of which impede travel. The initial herd path near the end of Little River Road now has a sign ("Trail"). The last few feet of the FWT before you reach the summit clearing is getting tight. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Too cold. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
My annual winter visit to Hale via the FWT. All trails are well packed by snowshoers up until the FWT, then by shoers and skiers after that. I wore snowshoes all day and they are still needed to keep the route in good shape. It was pretty much an easy hike up and down.
I was outnumbered by skiers today, there were many out there enjoying the birch glades. I saw a couple of hikers headed for the Twins, and met some folks I know who were descending Hale. Their original plan was to keep going out over Zealand and the Bonds, but they turned back at Hale due to cold and wind. By the time I reached the summit, the wind had died down, but it was still quite cold.
One navigation note on the FWT: About halfway up, the snowshoe / ski track leaves the trail at a hard left and climbs somewhat steeply along an open birch glade. The track rejoins the trail at the top of this glade. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-02-11 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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. |
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