Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Goose Pond, Little Sugarloaf (attempt), NH |
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| Trails: |
Elwell Trail, Goose Pond Loop Trail, Goose Pond Trail, White Trail, Blue Trail, bushwhacks, snowmobile trails |
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| Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, February 26, 2020 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking only available at entrance to Wellington State Park - I parked outside the entrance in front of one of the gates that has snow plowed against it. Actual Elwell Trailhead parking lot is a snow machine path in winter. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Spring Snow |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Skis |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
most water crossings were almost bridged - I could usually find some snow to cross on |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
large hemlock across White Trail (I think....). Has bypasses. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
um - yes - I saw a winter spider on Goose Pond |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Excellent loop on fat XC skis (Altai Hok 3-pin) - lots of ups and downs. Some of these trails are for snow machines and the coverage was quite dirty - I tried to avoid the dirt but inevitably had to travel across it. Pond was SO QUIET, the only noise was the faint sound of water draining out the outflow from across the pond. I almost reached the summit of Little Sugarloaf but, after bushwhacking up from the Orange Trail to avoid the steeps, I realized I was on the bump slightly northeast of the actual summit. When I tried to get down to the col between the false summit and the actual summit, I had too much trouble getting through the brush while on skis. Lots of animal tracks. Very mushy snow. Best to use snowshoes or skis. Postholes weren't too bad but with skis on, the postholes weren't too cumbersome and they weren't deep. Never saw anyone. Spent about 2.5 hours and skied about 4.5 miles, enjoying lunch on the pond. |
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| Name: |
Becca Munroe |
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| E-Mail: |
beccahiker@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-26 |
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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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