| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Liberty, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bike path, bushwhack, Liberty Springs Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Basin Parking plowed |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Ice - Breakable Crust |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
no problem |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
none |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Upon entering the bushwhack a compound of about 6” of powder that had a ¼” top crust of frozen granular (from the rain of course) with an inch of powder on top. The resultant compound, specifically the crust made hiking an extremely arduous task, requiring great exertion, and using a much greater amount of energy for trail breaking. With each step into the compound you literally had to pull your snowshoes out of the crust that seemingly locked your snowshoes in place. It was like trying to walk in wet cement. (it is easier to break a trail in 12”or more of powder than this slop of "snow cement") I almost turned around a few times but kept on going hoping that this compound would eventually disappear with greater elevation, in which thankfully became the case. As you reached about 3000 feet, the layer of crust was virtually gone, but the powder (heavy-ish powder turning to a softer powder with more elevation) snow depths increased to about 12” at the junction. Any remnants of the former broken trail where gone. There was no discernible trail going to Mt. Liberty from the junction, just lots of powder. The summit and its surroundings was a showpiece for photography with clear blue skies. Summit temperature was 8* and dropping with a constant 20+ MPH wind. Unfortunately, it was too late to break trail solo and to continue on to Flume, but the effort to Mt. Liberty and the rewarding scenery were well worth the climb. |
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 | Name: |
Gordon Reilling |
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 | E-Mail: |
greilling@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-03-02 |
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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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