| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington (attempt), NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, December 4, 2019 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Cog Railway parking area is well plowed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Some parts of Ammo are still wet -- ice bridges are in the process of forming. Notably, the area of Gem Pool is almost there, as is the crossing at the upper cascades. Overall, every crossing is manageable without much fuss. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is overall maintained, weather not withstanding. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
One 52 mm lens cap, left at the trailhead sign board by the Cog. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
I'd hoped to summit Washington, but wow, the snow. The brunt of the storm did miss the mountain, but there was still about 4-6 inches up to Gem Pool, and above that... yeah, wow. It's very light, fluffy, and dry. It's utterly unconsolidated. In the alpine zone, the drifts can get pretty deep -- up to the knees and even waist in some places. Bank on it taking more time than expected. On the hike down, plan on glissading at least once, picking yourself up at least half a dozen times. Type II fun to the max. I mean, it's the Presidentials in the snow, right?
That being said, the trail may be strenuous but it's still very pleasant. The snow on the trees is magical. If you've any kind of view, it's a winter wonderland up there. The highlight of my outing was seeing some bear tracks just this side of Gem Pool -- wow! And seriously, if there's even just a few intrepid souls that take a shot at heading up to the summit this weekend, the trail will be tramped down and in fine shape before long.
Photos and a more detailed report on my blog. |
|
 | Name: |
Protean Wanderer |
|
 | E-Mail: |
hiker@proteanwanderer.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2019-12-05 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2019/12/05/trip-report-ammonoosuc-ravine-trail/ |
|
|
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. |
|
