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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Washington, NH
Trails
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Camel Trail, Davis Path, Great Gulf Trail, Gulfside, Jewell Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Large paved parking lot. Fee area. Outhouses. Lot only had about 8 cars this morning. Plenty of room on road on busy days if it's full. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Very low water today. Numerous crossings all very easy with dry feet. The crossing on Ammonoosuc Ravine between waterfalls (4th or 5th?) had a smooth ledge with 2" of water running over it for about 10'. Could be an issue on wet day. BIG drop if you slide here. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in phenomenal shape. All log rails, bridges, drainage, etc in great shape. One low step-over toward beginning of Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. Blazes on Jewell trail sporadic and faded but trail quite easy to follow anyway. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Trails fine for dogs. There is a lengthy section of ledges on Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail but they are not that steep and generally had rough texture. Not really any water other than this trail until you get toward bottom of Jewell Trail. 
Bugs
Bugs: Few gnats and flies. Occasional bite. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Towel left drying on a tree on the side path leading to the big double-waterfall about half way up. Left it behind. Think it had a big star in middle if I remember right. 
 
Comments
Comments: Tremendous day to be out. My first hike ever was this loop when I was 16. Got to do it again some 27 years later. Fantastic variety and views. Enjoyed the hell out of it. Trails all very dry with good, secure footing. There was one decent length of wet muddy area in and around where the cog spur connector joins the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail but there were enough rocks to stay mud free. Camel Trail has very short cairns and could be tricky to follow in heavy fog in a few places. Jewell Trail has a few short sections of boulder hopping but otherwise has very good footing. The AMC Guide recommends avoiding Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail for descent. I wouldn't have an issue with it, even in bad weather. The steep areas have nice square rocky footing and the lengthy section of ledges is not overly steep and rock is rough in texture with many holds. The steepest areas could be safely slid down the short distances of ledge if conditions were that bad. The only potential issue is the river crossing about half way up the ledges that crosses the top of one of the waterfalls at the base of another waterfall area. The crossing is narrow so the water funnels and goes over smooth ledge and there are no rocks, with a very high drop if you go over. In deeper water with any kind of current this could be a very dangerous area. As far as I could see there was no way to bushwhack in high water (at least not one without considerable effort and distance). Other than that possible problem the trail is safe and has much better footing than most for getting down below tree line.  
Name
Name: DayTrip 
E-Mail
E-Mail: bblanchette0709@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2013-08-22 
Link
Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bblanchette0709/ 
Bookmark and Share 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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