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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 26, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Lot did not overflow today, despite the nice weather. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Bottom crossing on Falling Waters is still solidly snow bridged. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: I don't recall any blowdowns. Brushy in places though. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Old Bridle Path was a little choppy in places, but our snowshoes helped pack it out. An accomplished hiker was descending early this morning with snowshoes as well, so the footbed was left in good shape prior to the postholer pilgrimage. Perhaps 2 feet of snowpack at the trailhead, increasing to perhaps 3 to 4 feet prior to the hut. Some folks were at the hut (one storm door was open, a generator sound audible), perhaps doing some early season prep work.

Greenleaf Trail was not as well broken out in the scrub; snowshoes were very helpful up to treeline. Kept them on up to the normal ice bulge sideslope (not as wide as usual, but still present), then barebooted up to the summit (mix of snow, minimal ice, and bare rock).

Barebooted the ridge without too much issue. Some drifted snow, but also lots of bare rock. Unfortunately prior barebooters moved the track into the alpine growth in places, so I did my best to stick to the trail. One side slope icy area of concern prior to Lincoln, but the sun had softened it up enough to pass with caution late this morning. No issues across the Gargoyles and to Little Haystack.

Snowshoes went back on at treeline, as the snowpack is 4-5 feet deep. A few places in the sun were sticky (causing lots of problems for Microspikers), but not too bad. Decent track all the way down, though some postholers did attempt some Franconia Fracking in a few places.

Very nice weather ahead of the upcoming storm. Blue skies, mild temperatures, minimal winds.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-03-26 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
Bookmark and Share 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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