Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Pierce, Gibbs Falls, NH |
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| Trails: |
Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Mizpah Cutoff, Webster Cliff Trail, Gibbs Falls spur |
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| Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Mt. Clinton Road lot is plowed but icy. Bathrooms are open. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One large and one small leaner on CP. Probably not an issue outside of winter when you are several feet lower. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. Would have been an easy day for them today. |
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| Bugs: |
Nope. |
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| Lost and Found: |
One bag of dog poop along CC. Please carry it out! |
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| Comments: |
Both CC and CP were packed solid like concrete. I read reports of barebooters tearing up these trails over the weekend, but things have been smoothed over. Still some holes along the side of the trail to watch for. I carried snowshoes, but did not need them. Spikes the whole way.
MCO was broken out to the hut. Still solid but more choppy. The track wanders a bit in a few places shortly before the hut. One wrong turn was brushed in. Stay on the most beaten track and you'll get there.
From the hut to the southwest peak of Pierce, the trail was even choppier, but still solid. I forgot how steep this section is. Beyond the SW peak was interesting. It seems people had lost the WCT corridor due to the blazes being below the snow. There are a few diverging tracks. I got on one that was more of a bushwhack but eventually led back to the trail right at the alpine zone sign, which was at ground level. 5-6 feet of snow meant a lot of fighting through spruce, as you are now high up in the canopy.
Light winds and pleasant temps on the summit of Pierce. Nice to run into Monica who was waiting for a friend to return from Eisenhower. Pierce's summit cairn is completely buried, and the deep snow is currently affording 360 degree views. Clouds moved in while I was up there but the Presi views were still amazing.
The descent was an easy cruise down the sidewalk of CP. I took the short side trip to Gibbs Falls. There's a small open pool at the bottom, but the falls themselves are hiding under the snow. I also started up the Crawford Cliff spur, which one barebooter had started to climb. They turned around after only a few yards. Beyond that, the trail was not broken out, and at that point, I didn't feel like doing it. |
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| Name: |
KenM |
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| E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-02-21 |
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| 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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