| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Pierce, Mt. Eisenhower, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail, Eisenhower Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 15, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Crawford Connector lot. Mt. Clinton Road is still ungated. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Someone has removed most of the big blowdown part way up Crawford Path. Will take a chainsaw or axe to remove the remaining stepover portion. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There are enough angled blue ice bulges that this may not be a good hike for dogs until some snow covers it up. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Icy!
Crawford Connector plus first half mile of Crawford Path above there were generally dry trail with some avoidable blue ice bulges and black ice.
Blue ice bulges increased as the Mizpah Cutoff junction approached. From Mizpah Cutoff junction to the Webster Cliff junction, much of the trail was frozen blue ice. We were able to pick our way up on Microspikes with care, but used crampons for the descent. Webster Cliff Trail from Crawford Path to the summit had some ice, but Micros were adequate for this short portion.
Crawford Path between the peaks had lots of blue ice bulges, some at angles. Initially we attempted to continue (on ascent) in Microspikes (new ones were okay initially, dull ones were completely inadequate), however we were forced to switch to crampons prior to reaching the col. Blue ice patches continued for much of the way to the Eisenhower Loop junction.
Above treeline, the Eisenhower Loop wasn't too bad - some frozen granular and a little bit of snow here and there. For this short section, Microspikes would have been fine, however we left our crampons on.
Other than an old drift or two, we never encountered more than a dusting to an inch of snowpack.
Bluebird day, a little chilly up high, but winds were minimal. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-12-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/NewHampshire/mtpierce-2012-1215.php |
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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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