| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Auto road, Cog Rail Trail, Gulfside, Greenwich Spring Loop, The Cornice |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, October 10, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Boy oh boy did I luck out with the auto road opening up just before I made it to the tollbooth. I drove almost the entire way to the top. I pulled off and parked at the last parking area before the summit that’s just above 6000ft. A few tourists pulled off and stopped there as well. Plenty of room but rough. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
All trails were above tree line with only some occasional scrub so the trails were mostly marked with cairns rather than blaze. I don’t recall ahy blaze on the Cornice. Gulfside did have a white blaze or two. There was a trail sign down...I’m pretty sure it was for the Sphinx Trail but I’m not certain. No blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A couple of dogs. At least one of them had a vest to keep them warm. They seemed to be doing okay. I’d be hesitant to bring a dog up there given the forecast though unless I was very certain of its abilities. Of course they’d also likely need some paw protection for the jagged rocks above tree line. In particular, the Cornice could be very difficult for them and their paws. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was my penultimate redline. I had attempted to finish my northern Presidential tab the week before but cut things short due to time and still needed the section of Gulfside that bypasses the Clay Loop and the southern half mile of the Cornice. Wasn’t so sure I’d be able to get it Saturday due to the wind forecast...and wasn’t so sure the auto rd would be open... particularly to the top. But I drove other to the auto rd with my fingers crossed and sure enough it opened...to 4200ft. As I sat in line it opened to 5500ft and finally when I got to the toll booth the entire way. Wahoo! Note that you CANNOT park and leave your car and hike up when it’s only open to 4200ft, 5500ft, etc. In other words, I really lucked out.
From my car I walked briefly along the auto rd, then on a path that led toward the Cog. I followed that until it ran into Gulfside. I did this just to avoid the summit winds. It was of course very windy when I got out of my car but not nearly as bad as I expected. I think I must’ve been sheltered from the wind because the wind was very doable from where I parked my car just past 6000ft all the way to around the Sphinx where the wind became much stronger and I was a little worried about doing the Cornice. This section of trail must be more exposed to westerly winds. I do think winds picked up some as well though. The Cornice was doable but challenging in the wind as was the return trip until about the Clay Loop. A few times when the wind nearly knocked me over and was a bit scary. In particular, the area around the Sphinx (where I believe the trail sign was down) and the Gulfside Trail turns sort of acted as a tunnel for the wind. Lost my hat once or twice there but was able to retrieve it.
No mud as I was above tree line but there was some wet rock/slab and standing water on trail. Most had herd paths around. Nothing too slippery. The Greenwich Spring Spur is signed on its northern end. It loops back to the south though where there is not a sign. I couldn’t believe how many day hikers and backpackers were out given the forecast but it felt great to conquer this before my final redline! :D
This section of the Cornice that I was on, while described as having better footing than the other section, still had many sections with very rough footing. I began hiking at 11am and returned to my car around 2:45pm. I picked up two hikers that weren’t experienced and were about to head down Jewell Trail but we’re concerned about hiking in rain and thunder without proper gear. While we never saw rain or thunder, the clouds darkened (but did not lower) on my return toward Washington. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-10-13 |
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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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