Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Middle Sugarloaf, NH |
|
| Trails: |
Zealand Road, Sugarloaf Trail |
|
| Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 |
|
| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Zealand Road closed. Plowed lot off US 302. |
|
| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
| Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns |
|
| Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
| Bugs: |
|
|
| Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
| Comments: |
Snowmobile trail alongside US 302 from winter lot to Zealand Road entrance (gated) (0.2 mile) still had full coverage, though it looks like water is pooling on part of it (frozen this evening).
Zealand Road (1.0 mile) was plowed past the Sugarloaf Trail, but had about 2 inches of hardpack/ice on it. Barebootable for the ascent, but light traction a good idea for descent. I wore snowshoes and had no issues. One warm weather event could get a lot of it down to pavement.
Sugarloaf Trail was generally a firm snowshoe width footbed with a few minor areas of postholes. Evidence of use heading down the Trestle Trail, as well as to North Sugarloaf. Ladder just below Middle Sugarloaf is snow covered, so that steep little pitch could pose an issue to those without some sort of traction. I found snowshoes to be fine from the road to the summit, but light traction would have been fine as well. Snowshoes will be a good idea when temperatures climb, as there's a good 2-3 feet of snowpack.
Nice sunset, but a brisk breeze on the open summit. Still feels like March! |
|
| Name: |
rocket21 |
|
| E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2015-04-01 |
|
| Link: |
https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
|
|
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. |
|