Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, NH |
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| Trails: |
Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Monday, March 6, 2017 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Started at 10:15am after taking care of commitments and this strategy gave me relative solitude (only 3 parties on way up, 2 on way down minus several shirtless "non hikers" heading up the trail). Trails were rock solid packed snow, or ice with a few millimeters of snow on top. This thin layer could melt off exposing the blue ice bulges if it rains in the next few days so keep that in mind if hiking when it gets cold again after--something more aggressive than micro's might be in order. Some postholes on the trial edges but it wasn't a that bad. The trap dike section on Old Bridal Path had a tricky exposed ice bulge section that some may want crampons or something more aggressive than microspikes for and turned around a duo in front of me in just spikes. I was lazy and kept the spike only on for descent of that section since it softened a little in the afternoon sun, but had to face into the bulge and use a section of exposed rocks for handholds to safely get down.
On the above the hut there is solid snow pack in the treed sections, but once above treeline there is mostly bare rock off trail with a ribbon of old packed snow or ice sheets. Often it was better to take off the microspikes and just walk on the exposed rocks. The usual ice flow at the spring by the turn is ice, but was fine in spikes today with some frozen flatter steps and there are some exposed rocks in that section. Summit had 130 mile views and less than 5 mph winds. No wind below treeline at all today. Amazing weather and was in just base layer (tights and a long sleeve shirt)for most of the hike. Didn't do the loop or talk to anyone who did, so don't know what Falling Waters is like, I would expect some ice bulges on that though. |
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| Name: |
John in NH |
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| E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-03-06 |
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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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