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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Twin Mountain, South Twin Mountain, Zealand Mountain, Mt. Hale, NH
Trails
Trails: North Twin Trail, North Twin Spur Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Fire Warden's Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, December 3, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Haystack Road was open. There was only one other car in the lot when we got there.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: We skipped the first two crossings in the North Twin Trail by using the herd path and were able to easily cross at the third using a set of logs as a cross walk to the left of the cairns.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: There were countless ice overs and blow downs along the entire route. We were able to easily step over, duck under, or go around all of them.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Didn't have a dog with us and didn't see any out on the trails.  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Lost a black North Face headband somewhere along the North Twin Trail between the lot and the third river crossing.  
 
Comments
Comments: Did this one with Monica and the Random Group of Hikers. There were only two sets of prints in the snow ahead of us. Snowflea had set out before we got there and then Thom left while we were getting ready. Only one in our group of four decided to bring snowshoes - the other three opted for a spikes-only trip.

The river was flowing and while Thom was bracing the cold in flip flops we opted to keep our feet warm by using a grouping of logs laid between some rocks. They were sturdy enough and we made it across rather easily. It was the only spot that any of us used spikes all day - didn't want to slip off the rock.

The trail up to North Twin was rather easy - some mud to avoid but the snow wasn't deep and there wasn't any use. The snow did get deeper between the two Twins and I opted to wear my gaiters to keep the snow out of my boots. Still not deep enough for snowshoes and nothing that required spikes.

It was windy in South Twin so we quickly went back below treeline. It was here that John M used his snowshoes. While they weren't completely necessary they did help out. He wore them until we got past Zealand. For the rest of us the legs got a bit of a workout - although I'm still happy I didn't lug them along.

There was a lot of water in places and you need to be careful - DO NOT step off the big bridges, especially the ones near the Zeacliff lookout. Very deep mud. Also, there is a lot of mud and water along Lend a Hand. I think everyone had to swap out their wet socks for a dry pair at least once.  
Name
Name: Michael & Monica 
E-Mail
E-Mail: michaelfblair@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-12-04 
Link
Link: https://www.meetup.com/random-hikers/events/235924426/ 
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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