| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Bondcliff (attempt), Franconia Falls, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Lincoln Woods Trail, Bondcliff Trail, Franconia Falls Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 8, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty in the Lincoln Woods lot @ 5:30 AM. USFS was checking passes when I returned. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No problems with the lower crossings of Bondcliff Trail. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple of duck-unders ascending Bondcliff Trail. No issues otherwise. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw one descending Bondcliff Trail. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
All trail segments I hiked are well packed and make for easy travel. I used Hillsound spikes and never thought about my snowshoes - beyond the extra weight on my pack. So the trails are in great shape and the sun was out with blue skies...so why an attempt you ask?
1. Wind
For the three or so hours I was on Lincoln Woods and Bondcliff Trails the wind was howling with tree-bending gusts. I had read multiple forecasts this morning and they were all over the place but based on what I heard and saw while hiking the wind was definitely toward the more extreme of them. I envisioned what it what it was like a couple thousand feet higher above the trees and didn't enjoy the thought.
2. Equipment
I realized I did not bring appropriate eye wear nor did I bring shell pants to potentially deal with the high winds. Even if I had this stuff, though, the winds seemed strong enough to knock me around above the trees if I got there.
3. Energy
I did not get a good night's sleep at all so in addition to losing an hour and getting up very early I didn't have much in the tank.
I had intended to go to Bondcliff and possibly beyond but with the combination of these factors - and the desire to not compound them with bad decisions - I decided to make a U-turn about half way up the ascent of Bondcliff and went to Franconia Falls on my way out for lunch - and was very much OK with it. So at the end of the day I didn't hit the home run but did manage to scratch out an infield single. I only saw four others ascending Bondcliff while I was out there so maybe that tried to tell me something. Besides...how many people can say they hiked almost 15 miles to visit Franconia Falls? :) Nice to meet TT out there too. Hopefully the others I ran into made their destinations enjoyably and safely.
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|
 | Name: |
HMJ |
|
 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-08 |
|
 | 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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