| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Jewell Trail, Boundary Line Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 8, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked in the Ammonoosuc Ravine lot. Icy in the morning, turning to slush midday. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Clay Brook was partly open. Since no one has used the trail previously, there was no previously existing crossing route. I found a route that looked like the snowbridge was sturdy. I crossed in both directions without incident. However, the warmer weather in the coming days might weaken the snowbridge, so be careful. Also, there were about a half-dozen minor streams that were open. Since the snow was 2-3 feet above the stream on both sides, crossing these involved leaping across. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were some blazes, but they were widely spaced, and some were faded. There was a small trench in some places where the trail was. In other places, I just had to trust my knowledge that the trail was pretty much straight the whole way. If I hadn't known that, following the trail would've been much more difficult in places. There were a few blowdowns and widowmakers, but none was a significant obstacle to travel. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Not yet. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Part 2 of my redlining adventures was to grab Boundary Line Trail. Jewell Trail was hard-packed, and could be done in either snowshoes or spikes. Boundary Line Trail, as I discovered when reaching the junction, was totally unused - there was a small trench in some places where the trail was, but most of it had no sign of any boot or snowshoe tracks. However, the snow was supportive, so I decided to give it a go. I began in spikes, but quickly switched to snowshoes - not because I was sinking into the snow (I wasn't), but because they lessened the risk of postholing into water. The trail corridor was sometimes clear, but other times I had to use my knowledge that the trail was straight in order to follow it. A couple of the water crossings were somewhat sketchy, but I managed to get across (or, in some cases, leap across) without incident. My tracks should be able to be followed pretty easily. Saw a snowmobile or two on Jefferson Notch Road. |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-08 |
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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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