| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Trinity Heights, Gulfside, Jewell Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 19, 2010 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
WMNF parking not plowed
Cog Railway lots plowed. Parked at lower dirt plowed area since paved parking area was full |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Slush, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Not an issue |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails in good shape except for Jewell,
Jewell trail had bend overs and leaners. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The winter path did not always follow the blazed Ammonoosuc Ravine trail. Initially the snowshoe track follows the blazed trail but diverges left to ascend up the snowed over river (great viewpoint up to ravine). Keep right up this section to find snowshoe path that yields right to rejoin blazed trail just below Gem Pool. The trail is followed up the steep section beyond Gem Pool but again strays from blazed trail. The winter path now ascends the Ammonoosuc Ravine headwall at quite a distance to the north of the blazed trail. Above tree line the path heads diagonally southeast to the north side of the Lake of the Clouds Hut which has a drift on the east side up to the roof. The hike up Mt Monroe can be achieved in a myriad of routes. The snow is generally hard packed with some slushy/icy areas above tree line. Snowshoes with built in crampons provided secure footing. Crawford Path to the Davis Path junction easy to hike. Hiked directly up the summit cone rather than follow the Crawford Path. Many hikers and observatory staff at the top of the Rock Pile. Quick hike down Trinity Heights Connector which had large cairns. Gulfside had areas of frozen slush and ice as well as rock and some bare areas. Traction handled the frozen slush well. Shied away from sloped icy areas by lip of the Great Gulf. Jewell Trail above tree line was slippery due to daytime warming. Saw white tail deer above tree line. Once down to the forest below tree line there was slower going due to branches across pathway and bend overs and leaners. Provided a nice obstacle course. There were some tree obstructions lower on the trail but they were not as numerous. Saw many postholes on the Jewell Trail and the snow was softening in the warm temperatures (may freeze up overnight).
Thanks to Boscawen hiker who provided me with sun goggles which cut out the glare and protected the eyes from branches. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2010-03-19 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
