| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Pierce, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Crawford Path, Mizpah Cutoff, Webster Cliff Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 8, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Mt Clinton parking open and plowed, $3 a day, gets pretty crowded. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
snow bridges on most, hop over the rest |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
a few blowdowns, easy enough to step over or duck under |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw 2 dogs - Thor and another - both seemed to be having a blast. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Crawford path up to Mizpah cutoff well packed by snow shoes with only the occasional posthole to step around. We didn't put on our traction, but crampons or micros would have been nice to prevent the energy sapping slipping that occurred on steeper pitches. Mizpah cutoff up to the hut was a disaster. Packed well enough to prevent postholing, but so many post holes from previous hikers, it was like walking in a mine field. Only a matter of time until someone seriously injures their ankle or leg from a misstep. Above Mizpah hut, up to the summit of Pierce, better pack then the cut-off, with very few post holes to avoid.
Stayed at the tent platforms but decided around 5pm to pack up and head down in the dark. Saw one other group of 5 staying near the hut in a tent and snow shelter. Stream partially frozen over, but broke through the ice for some water to boil. Otherwise, lots of day hikers. Got to meet Dave and Thor, it was a pleasure hiking up with their group.
Crampons were nice on the way down to prevent slipping on the well packed snow, and headlamps lit the post holed trail well enough for a safe and quick descent - about 45 minutes to do the 2.7 miles to the parking lot. |
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 | Name: |
Rick and Dan |
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 | E-Mail: |
rcharity_psych@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-01-09 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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