| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking available at the USFS lot on the Base Road (fee) or at the Cog (fee). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A few open drainages low on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, but easily crossed over with snowshoes on. Monroe Brook was snow bridged. There was an adequate snowbridge at the outlet of Gem Pool. Higher crossings on the Ammi were also okay, though one was a bit open. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns. Brushing seemed okay. Signage mostly okay, but sign at the junction of the Ammi and Crawford Path - at the corner of Lakes of the Clouds Hut - was turned around, and frozen in place. Blazing on Ammi was okay - a few perhaps non-standard arrows -- and as usual, the upper part of the Ammi can be challenging, since any blazes would be under snow. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A nice day weatherwise -- great visibility and not-too-bad-wind. Used snowshoes on existing track on the Ammi up to the Hut - generally good going, some at or just below the surface rocks and ice, and one slightly awkward ice bulge on the steeps above Gem Pool. Icy spots on the ledges in the brushy areas below the hut. Track wanders a bit below the hut. There were at least two other snowshoers on the Ammi today. Switched to crampons for Monroe and Washington. Trail up Monroe a mix of snow, rock, and ice. Crawford Path to Washington was tedious. There were some areas of icy, windpacked snow -- good footing, but a few spots where you don't want to slip - and some water ice, but much of the trail was soft drifted snow over hidden rocks - crampon snagging, ankle twisting, knee wrenching, balance baffling rocks. Very slow going. Saw one other hiker on Ammi (he went to Monroe), another on Monroe (his trail report was posted earlier), just two hikers at the summit (they had come up Lion Head), and two more as I descended the Ammi. |
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 | Name: |
PeterC |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-22 |
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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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