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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Moosilauke (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Glencliff Trail, Carriage Road, Hurricane Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the plowed Glencliff lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: A few minor drainages are still open, but easily crossed. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few blowdowns along Carriage Road, which will be problematic for skiers until they get buried or cleared. Hurricane Trail was very difficult to follow, with a very vague trail corridor west of the height of land. There is a mix of faded old DOC blazes and faded old yellow blazes, and long stretches of neither. I consider myself pretty good at route finding and this route was a definite challenge. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Probably not on this day. 
Bugs
Bugs: No way. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Found one microspike along Hurricane Trail, left it at the trailhead kiosk. 
 
Comments
Comments: Went for a 10th ascent of Moosilauke and almost made it.

Wore snowshoes car to car. Glencliff had a few inches down low, increasing to about two feet along the ridge. The rocks on the steeps were filled in thankfully. Carriage Road to the summit had been skied. I got within a few tenths of the summit and turned back due to wind, dropping temps and very low visibility. I could barely see to the next cairn. Descending Carriage Road, it had been tracked out by said skier, and by two snowboarders who I met at the Glencliff junction. Easy snowshoeing all the way down to Hurricane Trail. Noticed that Snapper Trail was unbroken.

Hurricane Trail was unbroken, about 6 - 12 inches of powder. This was a physically tough trail with rough, awkward footing for snowshoes. There are also many sections where you feel like you are reaching the height of land, only to be met with more up. Skipped the new view spur as it was getting dark. Once over the other side, it was a constant hunt to find the trail (see trail notes). I underestimated this trail, and ended up coming out in the dark. I don't recommend doing this section in winter unless it's already been broken out.  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2016-12-14 
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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