| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, May 11, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
still plenty of parking in the lots, tourist season isn't here yet |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
most of the water crossings were easy, one tough crossing on Liberty Spring, but able to hop rocks with due caution and wet shoes. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
several blow downs, but nothing outrageous for this time of year, a couple of duck unders and a couple of straddle overs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
crossed paths with 5-6 dogs, all friendly and well behaved |
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 | Bugs: |
none yet, but black fly season is around the corner |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The trail was bare or wet/muddy up to 3000 feet. Just below the Liberty Spring tent site the monorail started in full effect. Put on spikes at 3300 feet and kept them on until the Liberty Summit, then back on for the traverse to Flume. Lots of post holes next to the very narrow monorail up to the ridge. The summit of Liberty was bare rock and beautiful views (as usual). The ridge between Liberty and Flume was deep snow and very narrow degrading monorail. One big mud puddle and a few tough blow downs. Sometimes the rail was more of shark fin forcing me to decide which side of it to step & risk a new post hole. The snow pack is degrading by the hour so it's really up to each persons best guess. The snow is still 2-4' deep at 4000 feet so I was confounded at how many folks came up in shorts and trail runners today. It's likely going to be snow & ice at 4000 feet for a few weeks ahead so plan accordingly. Despite having a lingering chest cold, it was a good day to chase my little mountain goat up to Liberty |
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 | Name: |
Pappa C |
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 | E-Mail: |
ringcycles AT yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-05-11 |
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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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