| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 15, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ravine Lodge Road has not been plowed since the most recent snowfall, so some cars may have issues. Lot is plowed for hikers at the gate, a mile or so from the lodge. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some leaners and stepovers. Railing of second bridge (e.g. below the Snapper junction) is down. |
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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 quick survey of the parking lot on the return revealed the source of footbed damage: Connecticut and Massachusetts plates. Please don't play into the stereotype; come bearing snowshoes!
Gorge Brook Trail had a few inches of untouched powder on it this morning (in addition to the powder from the previous few storms this week). The footbed underneath the powder is not firm. Snowshoes were ideal. Plenty of snow from the get go, with no bony sections. Perhaps 2 feet down low, increasing to 4 feet higher up. Only saw ski tracks heading up Snapper.
Near treeline, snowpack had drifted to perhaps 5 feet in places. One of the signs is at the same level as the snowpack. Above treeline on this side had full snow cover, with skiers partaking. Not at all bony either. Still some active snow drifting.
Unfortunately on the return, the Massachusetts Microspikes and Connecticut Cramponers were trashing the footbed. Generally only leaving 3-6" divets, however there were plenty of knee deep postholes. Twisted my knee in one of their postholes; thanks. No idea how they fared in the deep drifts (if they made it that far); they were not making good time due to their choice not to bring snowshoes. A few suggested they had made the wrong choice, while others were apparently content making our trails as beat up as their highways.
Clear skies this morning with temperatures rising from below zero to the 20s. Frigid wind above treeline, but not particularly strong. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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