| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cooley Hill, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Jericho Road Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 19, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking is snug: you're at the outlet of a fire road. There's no lot, per se. Be smart about making your vehicle small enough that others can share the beauty. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A few very minor drainages cross the trail, but they're "one-step wonders!" Y'know, kinda like Men Without Hats, or Dexy's Midnight Runners! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail was in decent shape. Obviously, there's a ton of snow everywhere. Easton seems to have gotten the least of it -- I found it easy to scrape snow down to bare earth with three or so swipes of my boot/snowshoe. There might be 4-6 inches of the white stuff, maybe a couple more inches in the rare drift. That said, snow isn't your biggest concern in the slightest. If you're bold, you might even get away with crampons, but I don't recommend it.
What I do recommend? This trail, especially if you're looking for something easy-going that has a few nice views. You won't see Washington, but on a clear day, you won't be disappointed, either.
There were a few minor blow-downs. I took care of the two worst, but someone who doesn't mind carrying a small pair of pruning shears could make the trail textbook perfect with about five minutes of easy effort. Someone with a nice, lightweight bow saw could finish what I started a bit higher up with about five minutes of work, too. But then again, if things remain as I left them, you'll have easy enough passage all the way to the summit. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I was going to try to go hiking on Thursday, but turned back when it took half-again as long as normal just to get to Tilton. I'm glad I waited. Today, I enjoyed a bluebird day on a fine trail. Nevermind that it doesn't have anything fancy like the big boys do just a couple miles away. This hike is totally valid. Trust me. Thank me later. Easy grades, a truck road that's dead simple to follow, and near the summit, amazing views of the Franconias and the Kinsmans. If you luck out and have nice weather, every photo will take itself.
Photos and a more detailed write-up are on my blog, as always. (Don't forget to subscribe, and hit that "like" button!) |
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 | Name: |
Protean Wanderer |
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 | E-Mail: |
hiker@proteanwanderer.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-12-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2020/12/20/trip-report-the-road-to-cooley-hill/ |
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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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