| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Ripley Falls, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Willey House Station Road, Ethan Pond Trail, Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 8, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Willey House Station Road is not plowed, but a large area at the junction with Route 302 has been plowed. Plenty of parking. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing until you get to Ripley Falls, and the trail crossing at the base of the falls has a solid-looking snowbridge. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in good condition. All signs are present. No blowdowns that I can remember. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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|
 | Bugs: |
Not yet. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Part 3 of my redlining adventures was a short jaunt up to Ripley Falls. Willey House Station Road has a solidly packed monorail. Ethan Pond Trail up to the junction with Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail is very solidly packed - no need for snowshoes, spikes are the way to go. There were a few sections of ice on this section, but they were easy to get around. Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail up to Ripley Falls was mostly well packed. Snowshoes probably wouldn't have been any better than spikes - I wore spikes the whole way. Most of that section is on a fairly narrow sidehill, so be careful not to slide down towards the river, but it never felt dangerous. Ripley Falls itself was about 70% iced over and 30% open - it was nice to see the water flowing down the rock and then disappearing under the ice. The snowbridge at the trail crossing below the falls looked solid. I saw a few boot and spike tracks going up the trail towards Arethusa Falls, however that section was steep, and I knew that I didn't have enough time remaining in the day to redline that entire trail section, so I turned around at the falls. Very nice hike. |
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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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