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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Washington, NH
Trails
Trails: Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lion Head Trail, Nelson Crag Trail, Alpine Garden Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Usual vast parking areas had lots of room. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Nothing significant 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: No blowdowns. All signs in place. The rope that is sometimes in place on Lion Head was not there, and wasn't needed. The winter Lion Head still is the current route. The trail wasn't obvious crossing the big snowfield on Tuckerman above Lion Head but that wasn't a problem; it's easy to find once across it. Nelson Crag's cairns made it easy to follow but the trail bed was often buried; but it was fun half running down the snowfields which held us up nicely but provided good traction. Lion Head winter in its steep section is steep, and there's lot of curves with broken stems or roots in the pathway or just to its side which can help going up but wouldn't be fun to land on or crash into going down.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Pretty easy and fun day for Pepper. He waited for a butt shove going up in the rope/crack section, and he didn't linger long on the summit in the winds, but he had a good traction all day in the softened snow or ice or on the wind packed snowfields. There was no water really, but he didn't need any as the cool temps up high countered the warm sun on his dark fur, and he could have grabbed some snow if needed. We saw one other dog racing down Tuckerman's with their human runner. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: We barebooted until the steep sections of Lion Head, when we put on Hillsounds. These were good enough in the solid but softening surface monorail. We saw prints of one prior hiker in the day who switched to snowshoes briefly; his/her snowshoe prints in new snow gave us good footing. We took the spikes off when back on Tuckerman, and didn't use them on Nelson Crag or Alpine, but put them on for the Lion Head descent in the steep sections. The trail was softer by then and we carefully went down, using roots and/or trees for handholds in places, taking a few slips when the footing gave way. The rope/crack area is snow/ice free and easier without spikes, but it is short. The lower section was rather slushy on the return hike.

If one was going up after a night of freezing temps crampons might be a good idea on Tuckerman and Lion Head. If instead temps were warm and warming, snowshoes might be needed on Lion Head and Nelson Crag.

There was a bucket on top tearing up the cog railway ties. We saw just a few skiers in Tuckermans and the one we met afterwards said the skiing was wonderful. We didn't see any other hikers. It was a marvelous day for this hike, from spring at the trailhead, to blustery winter cold and wind on the summit cone and Nelson Crag, back to early spring on Alpine Garden in the sun and lessened wind, and thence full spring down low. The views were of course great, but especially for the snowy ravines, Boott Spur, and the Alpine Garden. We loved it all. Great trails, great day and great companions. Did I say it was great? This was one of those hikes that will stand out while others tend to blend together. Thanks Erica for getting Pepper and me out of work and on the trails.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-04-29 
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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