| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Great Gulf Trail, Gulfside, Sphinx Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, July 22, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
|
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All the water crossings on the Great Gulf Trail can be rocked hopped until the next big storm. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I'm the trail adopter for the Sphinx Trail and will be out there next month to remove some leaners and blowdowns. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
The headwall on the Great Gulf Trail would be tough for most dogs, but they'd love the hike to Spaulding Lake, lots of water and swimming holes for them along the way! |
|
 | Bugs: |
Not biting as bad as before but they're still out |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Great Gulf Trail: About a tenth of a mile or so before the Sphinx Trail junction there is a tricky route finding section, the trail crosses the stream so keep your eye out for this as some hikers seem to miss this and follow a herd path without crossing. Above Spaulding Lake the trail almost immediately goes through running water that you should just walk through for a hundred feet or so, over to the left there is a muddy herd path forming where it looks like hikers head off to avoid this, but the best bet is to stay in the water, you're going to get wet no matter what so just enjoy it! The trail then leaves the "brook" part and goes through an overgrown corridor for a hundred feet or so, a mix between some standing water and dirt under your feet, you'll be pushing through branches but it soon opens back up, albeit still narrow, as you pass the Alpine Zone sign. From here trail becomes easier to follow until the open middle part of the headwall where you pass by the Irene rock slide, there are very few blazes, but there are small cairns here and there so keep an eye out for them. On the upper part of the headwall the yellow blazes become easier to find along with the small cairns, so the trail is easier to locate as long as you are paying attention.
Descending the Sphinx Trail, there are a few leaners, taller hikers watch your head. There are two big blowdowns, one just above the hard right water crossing, the crossing just above the beginning of the cascade / gorge section. Keep an eye out for this sharp right water crossing as some hikers head straight and wander off trail. The second blowdown is right as the trail approaches the Irene Slide Washout. My goal is to get out here in August to do trail work and clean up the leaners and blowdowns. Even with the blowdowns the trail is not too hard to follow as long as you're paying attention. :) |
|
 | Name: |
Chris |
|
 | E-Mail: |
cdailey@hpearce.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-07-25 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://dailey7779.blogspot.com/2017/07/mount-washington-via-great-gulf-its.html |
|
|
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. |
|
