Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Whiting Hill, Mt. Tom (attempt), MA |
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| Trails: |
Reservation Road, Bray Inner Loop Trail, Keystone Trail, D.O.C Trail, New England Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 11, 2020 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I arrived at 8 a.m. and the park gates were still locked. There was parking outside of the gate for 3 cars and I was #2. Later on when the gates opened, there are numerous lots for cars and parking is allowed along the main Reservation Rd. near the trailheads. All parking lots were plowed. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
All water crossings were spanned by well maintained bridges. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One minor blowdown on Keystone Trail. Just duck under the widow maker. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw three pooches today on my hike. Back down at the visitors center there were a number of dog walkers. |
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| Bugs: |
none |
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| Lost and Found: |
none |
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| Comments: |
Unseasonably warm day. Started off bare booting since Reservation road was just wet pavement but after a couple of slips on the Bray Trail, went to microspikes. I left them on all of the way up even through there were large runs where they were not needed but then would come long patches if black ice without easy step arounds. Thought it best to not widen the trails by walking on eroding solid edges so left them on. ll trail signs were clear and blazes well marked. Didn't;t anticipate all of the extra distance I added because of the closed gate, so after summiting Whiting Peak, headed back down the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail to the visitor's center. This trail was less icy so took off the traction, although there were a couple of steep, slippery black ice patches on the way down.....definitely look before you step. Return walk down Reservation Rd. was pleasant, paralleling a rushing stream for a good part of the way. Saw a park official and asked when gates opened. He said "Sunrise to sunset but sometimes a little later." Today they opened around 8:15. |
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| Name: |
Robert Nick |
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| E-Mail: |
rjnick@charter.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-12 |
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| Link: |
https://youtu.be/4RnNwWq2Vt0 |
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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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