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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, January 25, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: There were a few cars in the lot this morning -- I suspect some of them were from folks at Lonesome Lake 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All the crossings on Falling Waters were solid although one had soft ice that was a little slushy 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Good Shape 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Tough day with the wind for dogs but Gus was awesome and probably had an easier time with the wind than I did. What a sight to see him rolling in the snow on the ridge while I struggled with the wind and frozen goggles 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Had planned on the Kinsmans but that fell through so at 6am I texted Michelline and asked if she wanted to go out. I was skeptical in the parking lot as it was already snowing and the wind was blowing through the Notch. But she encouraged me to get going and not worry about conditions -- we could turn at the hut if necessary. When we got to the Agonies the clouds were descending but Lincoln was still visible and a pale sun was above us through the snow flakes. We decided at the Hut to continue to tree line then we just kept going. While the winds were gusting to at least 50mph and blowing us around some, we kept trudging on. The summit of Lafayette was very breezy as was the first couple hundred heading off of the summit. After that the ridge was ok as there was shelter in the usual spots. It was never too cold, the winds were difficult but manageable for the most part and we had decent visibility always at least 500 feet. The winds had scoured the ridge so there was never an issue with route finding and as noted there was enough shelter. We passed a couple of solo hikers and one pretty intrepid group of 6 folks. By the time we got to Little Haystack it was snowing hard. Lot of ice covered with snow on Falling Waters especially at the Falls. But with spikes and caution, we were fine. Thanks Michelline and Gus for pushing me to get this hike done in January so I have a chance to finish the month. Without Michelline's and Gus's gumption and pluckiness this hike would not have happened. Great Day Out even though no views except of our feet through frozen goggles. We did not carry snowshoes. Maybe with snow overnight they would be useful. The trails in the woods are pretty hard. Snowshoes would not have been easy on the ridge. We carried crampons but spikes were adequate with care.  
Name
Name: jeb bradley 
E-Mail
E-Mail: jebebrad@metrocast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-01-25 
Link
Link: https:// 
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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