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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Jefferson, NH
Trails
Trails: Caps Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 14, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Jefferson Notch Road was in relatively good condition, and the large parking area was sufficient today. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None on Caps Ridge. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blazes on the Caps and the above-treeline section need to be updated. We saw several hikers accidentally go the wrong way due to the lack of blazes. This can create trail creep, erosion, and unwanted herd paths. Considering the popularity of the trail and the fact that it is not in a Wilderness area, there's really no excuse for the poor blazing. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw several, including one near the summit that appeared to be very tired. Caps Ridge is not a trail for beginner hiking dogs - they should have plenty of hiking experience and good balance before attempting this trail. 
Bugs
Bugs: None. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: In the lower part of the trail, we found a Hilton hotel keycard. We left it on a rock on the side of the trail. 
 
Comments
Comments: This was a very fun and strenuous hike. Starting out, there was no ice or snow, but halfway up to the first outlook snow started to appear on tree branches (but not on the trail itself). Above the first outlook there was a little bit of snow on the rocks, but it wasn't an obstacle until we broke treeline. On the exposed rock above treeline, there was about an inch of snow. Ascending the Caps, we had to be very careful not to slip on the snow, although it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Above the junction with the Cornice, it got colder and windier, with wind-sculpted snow covering the rocks. We had to be very careful going both up and down that section, since on the cone of Jefferson, the temperatures were below freezing and the snow was not melting. Going down the Caps, however, the temperature was probably in the 40s and there was considerably less snow on the way down, since much of it had melted. We saw a few people carrying spikes, but we did not carry them, and they would not have helped hardly at all. Back down below treeline, the snow on the tree branches was all gone and the temperature was in the 50s - probably twice what it was at the summit.

I should point out, however, that the melting snow left lots of the rocks on the Caps quite wet. And with the colder temperatures overnight, that water will likely freeze and become ice, making conditions on the Caps potentially more dangerous than they were for us.

Congrats Diane on your finishing the 48!  
Name
Name: GN 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-10-14 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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