| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Link, Ammonoosuc Ravine, Crawford Path, Trinity Heights Connector |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, July 8, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is a hiker parking lot at the Cog base station, below the main parking lots and where I've heard that $10 is charged. However, there is nothing stopping hikers from simply parking in the upper parking lots (where they don't charge to park), and there were plenty of open spots when we arrived at 9 AM. To find the trail, walk toward the right side of the main building, and then follow a very short dirt road to the right and uphill - the sign for the trail is there. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All the water crossings on Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail were easy. None above there. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple blowdowns on Ammonoosuc Ravine, not an impediment to travel. There is a major blowdown on the short side path to the two waterfalls 1 or 2 tenths above Gem Pool - it was just the right height where we had to decide whether to go over or under (we went over). Blazes are sparse on the upper part of Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, and there are several spots where it is not immediately clear which direction to go. Short side path with the 'No Camping' sign should be brushed in so that people don't go that way by accident. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw several. As long as they are acclimated to scrambling over potentially slippery rock, and don't mind exposure and heavy winds, they should be fine. There's lots of water on this route - many river crossings on Ammonoosuc Ravine, Lakes of the Clouds Hut has water, the lakes themselves were full, and there's water at the summit. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not really an issue anywhere on the hike. Maybe the bug season this year is finally coming to a close. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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 | Comments: |
The previous time I had hiked Washington, I didn't plan it well, and had to take the shuttle down, meaning that it didn't count for the 4000-footers list. This time, however, I was determined to do the whole hike under my own power, and did so.
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail was its usual rough self. Even on the easier section down below where it parallels the Ammonoosuc River, the trail is very rough. The steep climb was, as usual, an adventure. The rivers were flowing, but there were no difficult water crossings. Many of the rock scrambles on the upper part of the trail were somewhat slippery, though that seemed to be because the rocks were covered in sand, not water. This was the first time I had done the Crawford Path between the hut and the summit of Washington, and it really wasn't that bad - certainly not as steep as Ammonoosuc Ravine, and the large number of flat rocks on the trail substantially improved the footing.
We massively lucked out with the weather today. Temperatures at the summit were in the 50s, there were only a few small clouds in the sky, and there was much less wind than usual - it was more just a nice breeze.
Lots and lots of people out today. #45/48 complete! |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-07-08 |
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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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