| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 18, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at snowmobile lot on 302. Only 3 cars when we got their at 8:15 Friday morning. Lots of cars and plenty of snowmobile trailers upon return Saturday at 3:30PM. Lot was plowed with a good amount of ice underneath. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged (at least partially) making crossing no big deal. Some crossing on Lend A Hand had "hollow" spots that sink down, but you don't get wet. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns and leaners on Lend A Hand but nothing too crazy. Lots of low hanging branches covered in snow ready to deposit their contents onto your neck. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any, but up Hale Brook would've been a great hike for them. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
So this report will be rendered useless as of last night/today. Spotted a car at Willey House and headed to Zealand Road for an overnight trek. The road itself we barebooted until the 2nd snowmobile turn off; really could've gone all the way to Hale Brook, but figured we would need them anyways. Hale Brook was well consolidated and probably only require spikes, except for the 3-6" of light powder that had fallen/blown into the track. Overall great conditions and warm(20ish). Lend A Hand had been tracked out it looked like a few days before. Maybe 6-8" of new powder was in the track, and someone had post holed the entire length of the trail. Maybe for some awkward snowshoeing, but I think the 2 of us reconsolidated things all the way to Zealand Hut. Spent a chilly night at the Hut and did a couple quick trips down to the Falls and Pond before calling it a day. Just before the summit, startled a hawk on the trail who had just killed a rabbit and was starting to have lunch. Quite the sight; hopefully he came back to finish that well deserved meal. Just above 0 in the Hut upon waking up Saturday made for a chilly pack up. Again, all this is bad information now that everything will be socked in for the next few days I imagine. |
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 | Name: |
Captain Ice Beard |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-01-20 |
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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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