Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua (attempt), Champney Falls, NH |
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| Trails: |
Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 25, 2019 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The parking lot is plowed with plenty of space. It is a sheet of ice and traction is needed from the moment you exit your car. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Champney Brook is running high after the rain. Snow bridge is gone. We easily went around the brook crossing by going out of the parking lot, turning right (East), up over the snow bank (by the no parking sign,) and down a short spur which we packed down to Champney Falls trail, past the brook crossing. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Numerous small "springs" draining under and over the trail from the recent rain. These caused the trail to collapse into the water in multiple locations, making consistent snow-shoe use difficult. It was NOT difficult to travel over these spots, just required a bit of care. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
None seen today. They would have been fine. |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
We snowshoed up to the Chocorua cone, then opted not to go further due to the ice and wind. Crampons and an ice ax would have been helpful to reach the summit. That said, a group of bare-booters with microspikes told us they reached the summit and described it as "very scary." The trails were compacted but in poor condition due to standing water on it now, and the frozen postholes and gouges caused by many bare-booters prior to the rain. Champney Falls had more water flowing than we have ever seen--it was spectacular. The snow bridge over to the section used by ice climbers is gone and there was another large cascade we had not seen before flowing down into the section used by the ice climbers. It is worth the trip to see the falls and remaining ice. Although we used snowshoes going up, spikes would work on the compacted snow. I put on Hillsounds part way down as they felt more secure for navigating a few of the water patches on the trail. Despite the trail conditions, it was a lovely day out. |
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| Name: |
Snaphappy |
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| E-Mail: |
amctreefrog@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-01-25 |
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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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