Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Jackson, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Eisenhower, NH |
|
| Trails: |
Webster-Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop |
|
| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 27, 2014 |
|
| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of cars in the Highland Center lot and on 302 but not overflowing. Depot lot still not plowed out. |
|
| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
|
| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
| Water Crossing Notes: |
Most were rock hoppable and easy - the large one on Webster-Jackson trail almost a mile from the trailhead was a bit tricky due to the sloping icy rocks and snow pack on either side, but with some care we made it without any issues. Lots of small streams and open water below 3500'. |
|
| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Two bigger blowdowns on Webster-Jackson trail, both will probably need a chainsaw come spring - one has an established herd path around and the other is an easy duck under at this point, but will be trickier with more snow. Plenty of smaller branches and twigs down in the trail, removed a number of them that weren't stuck in the snow. Not much blazing up high but trails easy to follow even in the fog. |
|
| Dog-Related Notes: |
Hannah and Chloe had a good day - they needed a bit of guidance with the water crossing mentioned above but otherwise handled the terrain well. Saw a few other dogs out today, some better behaved (and under better control) than others ... |
|
| Bugs: |
|
|
| Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
| Comments: |
Wore spikes car to car, trails were mostly hard packed snow and loose granular with some ice - bigger patches the last tenth of a mile approaching Jackson (mostly avoidable) and on the Eisenhower loop (not as avoidable, but manageable with care). Webster Cliff trail from Jackson to the junction with Mizpah Cutoff had seen less traffic than the other sections - trail was somewhat packed but not as stable - snowshoes would have only been helpful in a few small sections but these were few and far between (and there were several places with mud and open water), so they stayed on the packs. Small sections of softer snow and even a bit of drifting in the more open sections between Pierce and Eisenhower, but micros were still more than adequate. Apparently these were some of the only peaks in the clouds today as we had no views, but still a scenic winter wonderland with decently warm temps and a bit windy but better than forecasted. Felt and looked like April and not late December. Thanks to Ali, Nikki, Adam, Hannah and Chloe and a great day. |
|
| Name: |
Hikes with Hannah |
|
| E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2014-12-27 |
|
| Link: |
https:// |
|
|
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. |
|