| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Flat Mountain (attempt), NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Drakes Brook ski trail, Fletcher Cascade Trail, bushwhack |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 22, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Drakes Brook Trailhead along rt. 49, Waterville |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One major crossing along the mid-point of Fletcher Cascade trail but well frozen over. Several Spruce-traps on the ascent up the cascade. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Flat Mountain 3331' (attempt #2)
Third time will have to be the charm. By far the most direct but challenging route to this 500 highest peak. I shaved off having to break 1.6 miles of fresh knee-deep snow by using the relatively flat and broken Fletcher Cascade Trail. I made quick time following a single track that stopped within spitting distance of the Fletcher Falls; It was a good call. This trip's big unknown was the ungodly steep gorge that blankets the cascade but the obvious choice was to find a line of trees to my right. Climbing cautiously hand over foot, bushwhacking up the steep southerly ridge of the cascade I eventually topped out into beautiful, sunny, open woods. The higher snow was still deep, as expected, averaging 20 inches plus, with waist-deep drifting. Suddenly post-holing, I realized something was wrong. With .8 miles left to the summit my left snowshoe mount broke free from the aluminum frame. I found the snowshoe 20 feet behind me, buried and barely visible in the deep snow. A few tie wraps got me going again but in the reverse direction. A younger, stupider version of myself would've continued, but I'll save it for another day. Most of the heavy lifting is done. |
|
 | Name: |
stompmachine |
|
 | E-Mail: |
vp@pemisar.org |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-22 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://instagram.com/stompmachine |
|
|
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. |
|
