| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Falling Waters Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 23, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One lost dog running the ridge full steam at me. Owner followed 2 minutes behind in bareboots sliding out of control almost literally into me when I was moving uphill. Had his music playing out loud. Guy Waterman would be so proud of your wilderness ethic.... |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was it, the superbowl of Massachusetts "winter" hikers! Last day of school vacation and a forecast of 57 degrees for Boston on the iphone brought out 200 folk cheering on their favorites.
First, in the morning, there was just a few on team "Divots for Deval", which in the still cold air weren't very noticable, like Deval. Seriously, it wasn't that bad in micro's in the morning, and going up OBP they were really the only option because the trail had initally been broken in micros and was way too narrow for snowshoes.
Above the hut, things started to soften. Snow mostly covers everything, though there are some blue ice patches lurking which might become exposed, particularly at the no fall zone at the turn below the Lafayette summit. A very thin layer of snow was on their today, but that could change.
Once on the ridge, I encountered an endless parade of "Postholers for Pete" who weren't even spiking, but Bare Boot Edge Edgeing along. Some postholes in drifted areas were so deep I swear I saw some red tape and a sign in there warning not to enter because it went all the way to Wuhan province China.
I thought Pete supporters would win the day until on the Falling Water Trail. The snow was so soft you couldn't stand up right and the trusty microspike failed by collecting huge balls of snow. It was then the overwhelming majority turned to "Buttsledders for Bernie" who saved the day by leveling the trail and playing field with their actions. I wasn't sure if it was all the sun I got above treeline, but I was "Feeling the Bern!"
Around 1:30 pm, just above the waterfall, there were two people showing up in "Windpants for Warren" asking if they were close to the top. I didn't have the heart to tell them that they just weren't going to make it, like Warren.
In the parking lot I think I saw "Sleepy Joe" in a car, asking when the NH primary was. I reminded him it was over, and he came in 12th place out of 9. He didn't seem to know what was going on, but I pulled up a plane ticket to SC on his Iphone and typed in directions to MHT on his GPS.
On a serious note, once this all freezes over next weekend, beware! |
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 | Name: |
NH Mountain Man |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-23 |
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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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