| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Webster, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Webster-Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 17, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked along Route 302 |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All brook crossings had ice bridges |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some blow downs and step overs |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few dogs today. The same black dog charged ahead of its owners and jumped me twice, both on the ascent and the descent. :( |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
The Webster-Jackson Trail to the junction is pretty well packed. Many people were wearing spikes only, though I wore snowshoes the entire way and think they were more stable. After the junction, the trail on the way to Webster was entirely unbroken save for the 5 people who were about 45 minutes ahead of me. When I had arrived that AM I overheard a guy in the parking area who was returning to his car say that he had turned around due to it being completely unbroken, so I was grateful for the 5 trailblazers, who did a great job finding the trail all the way to the summit, including through a lot of tight tree branches. Unfortunately not one of them had snowshoes with them, notwithstanding 6 - 10 inches of powder the entire way, so they left a very rough and choppy trail in their wake with lots of postholes and ankle twisters. That, combined with the assault of tree branches for a large part of the ascent after the junction made for some very slow going. At least 1 person turned around about .15 miles from the summit, having had enough. The tree branches are worst the final .1 miles, pulling at you pack, your hair, your hat, and your poles at every step, but once you fight through them, the summit view is beautiful. It was a clear, windless day, which meant one could hang out on the summit and enjoy the view for a while.
Of the 10 people passed on the trail to Webster after the junction, only 2 others had snowshoes and only 1 wore them. It’s winter in the Whites and we all need to be prepared, for the safety of everyone. Pls bring your snowshoes.
The grey jays were hanging around the junction sign and happy to get an almond or two. One of them even stole food right from my hand that was en route to my mouth, hitting me in the face with its wings in the process! Aggressive little guys!
But cute.
Finally, several of steepest sections of this trail, especially descending into the gully just after the junction proved impossible to navigate on foot. Be prepared for some butt sliding and bring a sled if you have one! |
|
 | Name: |
KLBS |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2019-02-17 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
