| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Hale, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Hale Brook, Zealand Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 1, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Zealand Road open but slippery. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock steps |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
See rocket21's report for Zealand & Twinway. Lend-A-Hand was in good shape, almost all mud/wet areas frozen. There's been a lot of nice wood work in the boggy sections. Trail well brushed and blazes in good shape. Hale Brook had a minor blowdown. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Pepper iced up some on Zealand Ridge on the new snow despite a sweater and Vaseline on the paws. Short stature and longer fine fur has its disadvantages at this time of year particularly. It wasn't a significant problem on the hike we did, but I'm glad we decided not to do the Bonds since it would have continued to accumulate and required a much longer hike. He looked for alternatives to the stairs on Zealand Ridge, but then had no problems when he decided they were the best route. He especially had fun on the downhills. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Rocket covered Zealand & Twinway and beyond. Lend-A-Hand trail a nice hike now. Hale Brook's upper section was a mix of powdery mixed up and drifting snow and rough smaller rock which required some attention to foot placement. It's lower sections were easy going down.
Microspikes weren't necessary but I think they helped me some on the fresh snow sections, but as the trail gets packed be perepared for more metal on rock grinding. Today's loop is largely sheltered from the wind even though there was some active drifting on Hale Brook.
here weren't a lot of other hikers, but it was a treat to run into Rocket and Jeb (with Gus!). I reiterate Rocket's description of car's having trouble getting up the hill on Zealand. I waited for one to slowly back down after it failed to get up the hill on my way out. Others made it but as the roadbed gets packed into icier forms from the traffic light traction for cars (studded snows) look pretty good. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-12-01 |
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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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