| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 31, 2013 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Base Road plowed to Cog Rail lot. Hiker's lot plowed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
easy to navigate/cross; several are not frozen or snow bridged yet |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
no major issues; stepped over one or two minor blowdowns |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
experienced hiker dogs only; see comments |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
ART is beautiful in winter! We used snow shoes from the car to the steep sections above the Gem Pool, then switched to crampons. Blue needed a few assists on the steep ice and was spooked by the final slippery water crossing over the upper ledges of the highest waterfall (David carried him across on the descent!). Once we broke treeline, the trail became more difficult to discern. A couple hiking ahead of us had turned back here. We saw no other hikers all day. We left our packs at the hut and headed for the summit on the Crawford Path but the trail was covered in ice with deep snow drifts making it difficult to follow. It was also a bitter cold day and windy with poor visibility. We postholed to our knees through the crusty, frozen snow drifts. I decided it was too much for Blue so David and I headed back to the hut with him. I put Blue's fleece, windproof vest on him for the first time ever (this is his 4th winter season). Cindy and Dennis made their way to the summit over ice covered rock and more snow drifts. We all made a quick descent back to the trees on ART! |
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 | Name: |
Linda, David, Blue, Cindy & Dennis |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-01-04 |
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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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