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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Lafayette, NH
Trails
Trails: Skookumchuck Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, November 29, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of room at the trailhead parking. This lot is also used by the bicyclists. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Only minor water crossings on this route. Easily crossed on rocks that were not icy today 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in good condition. One tree fall on the Skookumchuck Trail at about 3 feet above the surface. Today this obstruction was best straddled over. It will be easier to get by when there is a snow pack. One bog bridge on the Skookumchuck Trail is aging and is slippery.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Fine for dogs. Two dogs (husky/malamute) only had difficulties at the "tricky ledge" just below the Skookumchuck - Garfield Ridge junction. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: First 1.5 to 1.8 miles of the Skookumchuck Trail were wet with short stretches of mud. No snow or ice. The surface was spangled with snow starting at about 1.8 miles at the rock steps. The snow cover became more consistent as one ascended but it was never deep. It was a powder snow that masked any underlying ice. I did not use any traction on the Skookumchuck Trail.
The Garfield Ridge Trail had varying snow depth due to drifting. Even the highest drifted snow was not deep so boots with traction worked best. Snowshoes not required yet. Gaiters are helpful. There is ice beneath the snow in many spots on the ridge so traction is recommended. Crampons not required.
A beautiful day above tree line. Great visibility. I was surprised that there weren't many hikers at the summit of Mt Lafayette.
Great talking with two hikers from Lowell/Chelmsford MA, a hiker from Farmington ME, two hikers from RI, and three hikers from Amherst MA.  
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-11-29 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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