Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, NH |
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| Trails: |
Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 26, 2017 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot did not overflow today, despite the nice weather. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Bottom crossing on Falling Waters is still solidly snow bridged. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I don't recall any blowdowns. Brushy in places though. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Old Bridle Path was a little choppy in places, but our snowshoes helped pack it out. An accomplished hiker was descending early this morning with snowshoes as well, so the footbed was left in good shape prior to the postholer pilgrimage. Perhaps 2 feet of snowpack at the trailhead, increasing to perhaps 3 to 4 feet prior to the hut. Some folks were at the hut (one storm door was open, a generator sound audible), perhaps doing some early season prep work.
Greenleaf Trail was not as well broken out in the scrub; snowshoes were very helpful up to treeline. Kept them on up to the normal ice bulge sideslope (not as wide as usual, but still present), then barebooted up to the summit (mix of snow, minimal ice, and bare rock).
Barebooted the ridge without too much issue. Some drifted snow, but also lots of bare rock. Unfortunately prior barebooters moved the track into the alpine growth in places, so I did my best to stick to the trail. One side slope icy area of concern prior to Lincoln, but the sun had softened it up enough to pass with caution late this morning. No issues across the Gargoyles and to Little Haystack.
Snowshoes went back on at treeline, as the snowpack is 4-5 feet deep. A few places in the sun were sticky (causing lots of problems for Microspikers), but not too bad. Decent track all the way down, though some postholers did attempt some Franconia Fracking in a few places.
Very nice weather ahead of the upcoming storm. Blue skies, mild temperatures, minimal winds. |
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| Name: |
rocket21 |
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| E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-03-26 |
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| Link: |
https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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