| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Champney Brook Trail, Piper Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plowed parking lot. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The footbridge adjacent to the parking lot is gone. The brook is snowbridged at the moment. If hard to cross, one can cross the brook on the highway, then do a very short bushwhack to the trail. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns above the snowpack, but the upper Champney Brook Trail could use some brushing. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Champney Brook Trail was packed well for snowshoeing. A majority were booting it down low, however there were some blue ice bulges higher up that I think were easier crossed with snowshoe traction (ie having points spanning 2 feet long rather than points spanning 10" long on Microspikes). Snowpack ranged from 1 to 2 feet, but was generally about 1.5 feet.
No sign of recent use on Champney Cutoff, Middle Sister Trail, Piper Trail, or West Side Trail.
Piper Trail above treeline was generally bare rock or snowdrifts. There was the occasional patch of blue ice, however it was easily avoided. I left my snowshoes at treeline and barebooted to the summit, never taking my Microspikes or crampons out. This area can be much more challenging than any standard winter 4K route due to ice (I've had a higher success rate in winter Presidential ascents than winter Chocorua attempts), so having only drifted snow and bare ledge was a pleasant surprise. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
|
 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2014-01-01 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
|
|
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. |
|
