| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Caps Ridge Trail, The Cornice, Gulfside, Sphinx Trail, Great Gulf Trail, Six Husbands Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, September 15, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There were ~10 cars in Caps Ridge parking lot when we arrived shortly after sunrise. The lot was full when we returned in early afternoon, with many cars parked along Jefferson Notch Rd. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Caps Ridge, Cornice, and Gulfside Trails were dry. Sphinx Trail follows a stream bed in places, it was wet. Great Gulf Trail was also wet. Water crossings on Sphinx, Great Gulf, and Six Husbands Trails were all rock hops with care. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Huge thanks to the folks who maintain these trails!!
All trails in good condition with the exception of Great Gulf between Sphinx Trail and the halfway point (or so) to Six Husbands, ~ miles 5.0-5.5 in the AMC Guide. Some blowdowns and many washouts to navigate. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one family near the top of Jefferson, ready to descend, trying to push their 50 lb dog up and over a (smooth) rock. The dog was clearly done for the day, sliding back down the rock without moving its paws to rest in the V between that rock and another. No idea how the family was going to get their dog off the mountain.
If your dog isn't used to tough hiking, not nimble enough to negotiate ledges and slabs, and not small enough for you to carry if it gets stuck, please do your dog a favor: don't coax it up Caps Ridge. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Glorious day in the Presidentials! Perfect weather for finally hiking the Sphinx and Six Husbands Trails via Caps Ridge.
We lost Sphinx Trail once, near the top, when the trail leaves from the right side of a grassy area and a herd path leaves from the left side. Otherwise, the AMC Guide's description of this trail was excellent. We had no trouble following the trail down, placing our feet carefully and taking it slow on the wet rocks.
Great Gulf Trail was unexpectedly challenging by the cascade. The trail crosses rock slabs that were slippery where dry and even worse where wet. There are herd paths forming in the woods above the trail. Also, one particularly sad sight: a small hemlock badly infested with woolly adelgid.
Six Husbands Trail is relentless, lived up to its reputation and then some. We lost the trail once, before the ladders, when the trail goes left-ish through a hole between two huge boulders. Many people continue straight, have formed a herd path that starts to descend alongside several of those boulders. Overall, this trail has a very tough scramble up that goes on and on... and on. Challenging and utterly exhausting. Would not ascend if the rocks are wet, would not descend ever. Definitely NOT for dogs.
Caps Ridge Trail was a delight as always, with the exception of the dog incident. |
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 | Name: |
Places We Go |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-09-16 |
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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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