| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Madison, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Clay, Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Great Gulf Trail, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail, Lowes Path, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Clay Loop, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lions Head Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 18, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Very few cars in Great Gulf. Not as many as expected at Pinkham Notch; probably because there were so few skiers. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The big stuff had bridges; the small stuff was easy rock steps. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail sign for Airline Cutoff was down. We were asked to help some hikers find Valley Way to go down. One major blowdown on Osgood; an easier duckunder today that it was roughly 10 days ago now that the snow/ice was gone. Osgood had some water running down it. Lions Head (summer trail is now open) had water running in it in places but clearly had more yesterday. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Pepper had a great day. The clouds mostly kept the sun off his black fur; he never panted. The trails were easy, and although once up on the ridge he had no sip n dips. he had some at the start and finish. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I barebooted the whole way. I suppose I could have used spikes on the ice of Lions Head but I had to take special care in only a few places. The snow field on Jefferson and those on Lions Head had boot prints we could use; there was no fear of sliding down. Erica used her hiking sandals the entire hike, and although she got her socks wet in the snow in a few places, she never felt the need to change socks. I hiked in shorts and T shirt, putting on a long underwear top for the higher summits; but most people we saw were bundled up more like winter. We did get hit with some snow pellets, and there were more clouds than we expected but that was good for Pepper. The summer route is now the open Lions Head trail, and although having lots of ice down low and some snow higher up, it was quite doable. Osgood is nearly snow/ice free; as were the other trails we were on. Pepper and I redlined the Gulfside around Jefferson while Erica summited. We didn't see as many other hikers as expected; and most of them were from Quebec on National Patriotes Day weekend. It was another wonderful hike with great companions. I may be the anchor to these two, but they put up with me. Thanks! |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-05-18 |
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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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