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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Webster, Mt. Jackson, Mt. Pierce, NH
Trails
Trails: Webster Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, November 12, 2010
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Large lot right at Webster Jackson Trailhead only one other car today. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Mud - Significant, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Slush, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All easily crossed 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Two blowdownss on the Webster Branch of Webster Jackson Trail - easily stepped over - one about 6 inches in diameter, One blowdown (6 inch diameter) on Webster Clif Trail between Webster and Jackson - one can duck low and get under but most people are just stepping around, one blowdown (6 inch diameter) on Crawford below Mizpah cutoff. Also below the cutoff there is part of a broken fairly large tree trunk suspended about 10 feet above the trail - I'd hate to be there if it were to fall! 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw one dog on the Webster Branch - some of the icy ledges and steep ledges up and down Jackson might require some assistance 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Lots of things on the trail today - at the Webster Jackson trailhead a shirt, one shoe, and one stabilicers light, half a bottle of welches grape juice on Jackson and a small white towel on a limb on Crawford path 
 
Comments
Comments: An amazing hike with amazing views - I can't recall a time when things were so clear on and near the presidentials! A late start allowed me to watch the sun set on Pierce but also a walk down the Crawford path in the dark. Trails had everything you expect from a November hike! Trails were a mix of mud/running water or snow with ice. You'll need those waterproof boots and gaiters on these trails. Light traction is also highly recommended if not essential in a few spots. Most of the time it really is not needed, but there are many spots where it's helpful, and a few where it's critical. It was a bit maddening since I get to a point where I would take off the microspikes only to find a place around the bend where I really needed them! Webster Jackson - mostly mud and running water up to the Webster branch junction. The steep descent down to Silver Cascade Brook was really tricky without traction - traction would make it a bit easier. Snow really begins above the cascade basically an inch covering of granular snow frozen in places. Lots of ice on the rock ledges you scramble up below the junction with the Webster Jackson trail - an area you'll want traction. Loose snow to the summit of Webster. Webster Cliff Trail - from Webster to Jackson fairly consistent snow cover of about an inch - soft granular and some hard/frozen snow - this generally got softer as the day went on. Ledges up to Jackson were mostly dry with only a few patches of ice. On the steeps descending Jackson towards Mizpah - ledges range from patchy ice cover to some with complete ice cover - traction is recommended. Generally consistent hard/frozen snow (an inch or so) or thin ice cover over to the hut with some mud and water puddles. Snow is fairly well packed and in some cases ice. There were a few times I stepped on ice only to push through to fairly deep mud or water so watch your steps especially getting on and off the bog bridges. From Mizpah to Pierce Summit fairly clear of snow and ice and actually good stretches of dry trail. Crawford Path - from junction to a bit below treeline snow was freezing leading to a lot of ice (but this was after dark). Farily consistent snow down of abut an inch to just below Mizpah cutoff though this was interspaced with stretches of mud and water. Snow became more slushy the lower I went on Crawford. Below snow lots of mud and water on the trail.  
Name
Name: Brian from Maine 
E-Mail
E-Mail: brobert1@maine.rr.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2010-11-12 
Link
Link: https:// 
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