| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Big Bickford Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Skookumchuck Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, February 6, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
parking well plowed |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
only crossings i did of a tributary of the main brook were a non issue. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
i only walked for about 1/4 mile or so on skookumchuck trail and found it broken out, but not packed down (also freshly blazed compared to when i was last on it). just after the first small brook crossing i left the trail and followed the drainage roughly east quickly climbing out of it to the north where i found good woods along a direct line towards big bickford. there is a foot or more of fresh powder over a base in the woods though still not enough to cover some blowdown, etc. woods remained good to the main climb of the peak where i headed up most of the way through great birch woods. snow depth increased a bit with some deeper pockets. below the summit is a crown of conifer growth and by slabbing a bit to the north i remained in open/mature forest up to the summit area. the summit canister is gone, but the mounting hardware and now familiar orange string are at the highpoint. i continued a bit beyond the summit to an area of blowdown with great views to garfield and north lafayette along with looks to the twins, peak above the nubble and the northern presidentials. i returned via my tracks.
i couldn't get a line on what the weather might be like today so went with a shorter hike option and one i knew could produce views if clouds remained high. cold sub zero start, but it didn't take long to warm up once off the trail. had no views last time i was there so was glad to get some today. very quiet in the woods but for the sound of settling snow and exploding ruffed grouse (and the highway of course....). great peak. |
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 | Name: |
bryan |
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 | E-Mail: |
bryancuddihee@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-02-06 |
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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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