| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, North Tripyramid, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Livermore Road, Mt. Tripyramid Trail, Scaur Ridge Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 21, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Livermore lot was close to full early this afternoon. Some deep puddles. Close to half the plates were out of state. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Snowbridges are pretty much gone, but water levels haven't risen too high yet. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns on Mt. Tripyramid Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
If you're thinking about Microspiking this loop, please stay home! Our local hospital and SAR don't need it!
Decided to stay close to home and practice social distancing.
Livermore Road was icy for the first portion, then hardpack. Grooming has ceased due to the resort closure, but the frozen classic ski tracks still remain to an extent. Snowshoes were fine, but presumably Microspikes are permitted at this juncture (users are required to ski or snowshoe during the winter months on Livermore Road).
Beyond the groomed portion, snowshoes were best. Though it was firm early this morning, it softened up considerably in the sun as the morning progressed.
The approach to the south slide was a postholed mess.
The south slide was a mix of hardpack, spring snow, and blue ice. Above the Sleeper junction, bare ground and blue ice. Tubbs Flex Alps got me up, but MSRs would have been outmatched. Crampons otherwise would be necessary (particularly if descending). Microspikes would be asking for a broken leg or worse; the blue ice is too firm and too steep for them.
Above the slide, the trail was frozen granular, perhaps 3-4 feet deep. Tough to follow in places due to snowpack and recent melting. Ran into a pair of unprepared hikers between Middle and South, who didn't know where they were, but were planning to descend the south slide in Microspikes and Yaktrax. I kid you not. Obviously no snowshoes either. Fortunately they listened and turned around, albeit leaving postholes between South and Middle.
Pine Bend Brook Trail was much better than I was expecting, as there is still good snow cover. Though a few parts are a little dicey from frozen buttsliding tracks, there is minimal blue ice exposed at this juncture.
Scaur Ridge Trail was soft in the sun. I cut off the corner and dropped down to the old logging road in the nice open woods on spring snow.
Livermore Road was getting soft and somewhat slushy on return.
Nice blue skies and early April conditions. Stay safe! |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-03-21 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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