Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Whiteface, Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
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| Trails: |
Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 12, 2020 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The expanded Ferncroft lot was half full at 8 AM. Overflow parking along the road is no longer permitted. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Dicey's Mill crossing was doable on a downed tree. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No major blowdowns. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Road walk portion was generally icy, but since it's flat, barebootable.
Blueberry Ledge Trail only had a dusting of snow down low (the northern flank of the Lakes Region was in sort of a snow shadow during last week's storm). Occasional ice here and there, with a consistent snowpack starting before arriving at the upper cutoff junction. Snowpack gradually increased up to the Wiggins junction, then was dependent upon wind exposure (deeper in the drifted areas, some scoured areas). The ledge scrambles were a mix of snow, blue ice, and bare rock. I barebooted up in the soft conditions, but could also see sharp Microspikes helping. Something more aggressive needed if descending. Incoming weather could change things.
I donned snowshoes for the initial portion of the Rollins Trail, but took them off a mile or so after passing over the true summit, as it was still a bit bony. Generally about a foot of snowpack (sticky powder or spring snow granular) on the ridge, with the trail boot packed to much less. A few icy areas that needed caution to descend. A few wind scoured areas, as well as a few drifted areas.
Dicey's Mill from Rollins to the summit was a combination of bootpacked snow and occasional bare rock/blue ice. Below Rollins was generally bootpacked granular, becoming patchy beyond the Wiggins junction and, and mostly bare around the wilderness boundary.
Apart from the short jaunt on snowshoes, I barebooted the whole loop without too much issue, though I was glad to have snowshoes and spikes with me. Would definitely don snowshoes if I had taken any side trails at elevation here (such as going to the Sleepers; also looked like snowshoes were needed for the Cutoff/Oliverian approach). Mild temperatures with occasional glimpses of the sun this morning. Slight rain/sleet showers mid-afternoon on the drive home. |
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| Name: |
rocket21 |
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| E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-12-12 |
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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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