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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Washington, NH
Trails
Trails: Great Gulf Trail, Gulfside, Trinity Heights Connector, Nelson Crag Trail, Old Jackson Road
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 17, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: One car parked at Great Gulf Trailhead another parked at Pinkham. Great Gulf had 5 cars still plenty of room for more. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: all were easily crossed 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: See under comments 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Although there is plenty of water this would be a tough hike for man's best friend  
Bugs
Bugs: There were lots of bugs. I used Ben's with deet, and that kept the bugs from biting but it didn't keep them from swarming and being annoying.  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: The first 5.6 miles on the Great Gulf Trail was a pleasant stroll through the woods with babbling brooks and good footing and an occasional blow-down to climb over. At 4000 feet we encounter a section of blow-downs that forced us off the trail where we had to bushwhack round, climb over, under, through trees, roots and thick brush and then slowly make our way back to the trail. We had to make 5 or 6 off trail side trip excursions where this section of the trail could be called impassable. After Spaulding Lake there are a few more blow-downs but one can stay on the trail picking a way through the obstacles.

Breaking out of the trees and looking up at Great Gulf Headwall and being in the midst of immense rugged and what felt like desolate wilderness is an amazing experience. Climbing the headwall was slow with loose rock and sometimes awkward scrambling. The yellow blazes are sparse and worn but they exist and are easily found once you stop and look back.

The summit was busy.

In hindsight descending Nelson Crag was a bit ambitious due to the ledges and angular slabs but doable.

After being over these rugged and wild paths I was happy to walk on a pleasant section of the Old Jackson Road.

Excellent weather and a great adventure, thanks to Al for good company.

As a side note Al was on the Great Gulf last summer and didn't experience the blow-downs that are there now, so this probably happened over the Halloween storm. I noticed there were very light herd paths starting to from in a few spots to avoid destruction.

 
Name
Name: Rachel 
E-Mail
E-Mail: ball one three one one at yahoo dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-06-18 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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