| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Jennings Peak, Sandwich Dome (attempt), NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Smarts Brook Trail, Sandwich Mountain Trail, Jennings Peak Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 23, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Smarts Brook and Sandwich Mountain trail heads were both plowed |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Couple frozen crossings were not a problem |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
|
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Started up Smarts Brook and planned to come down Algonquin and Sandwich Notch Road...This did not happen.
Smarts Brook is stable through the lower xc ski trails, and spikes or bareboot probably fine. My snowshoes were loud clanking on the more solid and narrow rail.
After intersection with Yellowjacket trail only a couple snowshoers continued on. They kept going for maybe a mile past the wilderness boundary, just as Sachem Peak comes into view through the trees. They stopped here.
I broke out the remaining 2-3miles up Smarts Brook. It was exhausting. Snow is 1-2+ feet deep most of the way. Snowshoes were sinking 6-8 inches with everystep. It was a warm sunny day, so the snow was getting wet and heavy too. I was so happy to reach the solid packed Sandwich Mountain trail. I did not go the last half mile to summit Sandwich Dome, too tired and it took me too long to get to that point.
I decided to take Sandwich Mountain trail down as it was the most direct route and walk on rt 49. I did hit Jennings Peak, which had great views of TriMountain, Sleepers, Washington. On the upper stretch of Smarts Brook I saw lynx tracks in the snow, so that was a fun distraction looking for those cats and not thinking about the pain in my quads.
Andrew and Gabby, who spent the day boarding at Waterville saw me walking and gave me a ride the last 3 miles back to my car, thank you thank you!!
It was a beautiful day in the woods, though the wet snow breakout was humbling. Still want to do Alqonguin soon though, as looking at the ridge all day built up the excitment and I do love walking the Sandwich Notch road in winter. |
|
 | Name: |
jd |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-24 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
