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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette, NH
Trails
Trails: Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: No issues, plowed, two other cars when we started one still there when we returned 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Black, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No major issues, crossings all at least partially bridged, some rock hopping and some walking across stable bridged area 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Few blowdowns on the switchbacks on FW but nothing new - lots on scraggly debris down low presumably from the high winds over the weekend, removed several small branches in passing  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Hannah had a good day - she needed a small boost in a few places because of slick ice but otherwise handled the terrain like a champ (four paw drive was very useful today). She is always leashed on the ridge because of the narrow sections of trail. Trail suitable only for very experienced hiking dogs until we get a lot more snow 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Squeezed in these two peaks before the incoming weather, did the loop CCW because of the southerly winds. Wore micros from the car to Little Haystack, then switched to Hillsound trail crampons and stayed in those until we were back at the car - may have been able to switch back to micros very low down on OBP but didn't bother because of time constraints. A dusting to an inch of snow over thick ice down low, closer to a few inches up to the ridge, few bigger sections of flow ice by the falls but all fairly easily navigated. The ridge was a mix of flow ice, bare rock, lots of styrofoam snow and some drifted snow up to mid-shin level - would have been difficult even with sharp micros to get good grip on most of the icy sections. Worst winds were between Lafayette and treeline, a few sustained gusts around 40 mph near the spring, some very light snow but visibility was fine until we were well below treeline. Some very slick ice going down the Agonies and very compact styrofoam snow by the OBP lookout section. Hopefully the snow over the next several days will help to cover up a lot of the ice but I would bring crampons or something with similar traction to be safe if doing this loop any time soon. Good day out with Ali and Hannah to get these two done!  
Name
Name: Hikes with Hannah 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-01-12 
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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