| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Prospect, Mt. Williams, Mt. Greylock, Stony Ledge, MA |
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 | Trails: |
Money Brook Trail, Mt. Prospect Trail, Appalachian Trail, Hopper Trail, Sperry Road, Haley Farm Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, April 13, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Hopper Rd and trailhead are in good shape with several days of sun and high seasonal temps. There is a mud condition sign along the road and some ruts, but all good. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Two water crossings on Money Brook Trail just before Mt Prospect Trail were high and quick, but very crossable. There were a number of submerged steppingstones that needed to be used. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were many scattered blowdowns along the way and lots of broken branches on the trails. Not a big deal, but they kept showing up. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Some of the snow conditions on the AT between Bernard Farm Trail and the top of Greylock could pose some difficulties for dogs. See comments |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Trail conditions were extremely variable. Snow boots with knee-high gaiters were very welcome, if not necessary, for the more interesting sections. There was consistently firm, deep and granular snow on the AT from the Bernard Farm Trail up to the peak of Greylock (heading south). While the snow was not continuous, it covered far more of this section of trail than not. Postholed up to my knee quite a few times prior to the Thunderbolt and found the overall footing in this section fitness challenging relative to more homogenous conditions (i.e. sometimes firm, sometimes soft, patches of mud, exposed rock... extremely variable), but carrying snowshoes for most of the hike wouldn't merit the effort.
Also, there was a fair amount of thick and deteriorating ice on the AT just south of the peak of Greylock for shy of a 1/4 mile. I found microspikes helpful here, though not completely necessary. Lots of running water below past this heading south on the AT and Hopper.
The heat, sunshine and the beauties of the bluebird day topped it all, so was very glad to be out there enjoying the challenges. |
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 | Name: |
crowboggs |
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 | E-Mail: |
crowboggs@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-15 |
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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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