| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Whiteface, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Blueberry Ledge Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey’s Mill Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 27, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The lot had 23 cars when we pulled in and folks arrived after us, but there was still room. Just be careful since they take parking very seriously. Obey all the parking signs or risk a ticket or even a tow. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The one big one on Dicey’s Mill has a log across it that can be walked (with spikes or crampons since it’s icy) or shimmied. Shimmying is more fun. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in OK shape. No blowdowns, but there are definite drainage issues on Dicey’s Mill that will be significant in the spring. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I would NOT bring a dog up (or down) the Blueberry Ledge Trail right about now. The rock scrambles near the peak are treacherous. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Ha! |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found the bottom third of a trekking pole. Left it in the lost & found basket at the parking lot (by the map/info kiosk). |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
It was like playing roulette out there today. I checked nearly every box because there was just about every condition. Dry trail? Check. Wet trail? Check. Stable monorail? Check. Unstable monorail? Check. Etc. Anyway, micros are probably best worn the entire way though it is possible to get to about 2500 ft without needing them on the way up Blueberry Ledge (going *down* this trail would be insane but we did see two people do it). After about 2500 feet is when you get consistent snow and a solid monorail on th e way up (the line is lower on Dicey’s Mill since it gets less sun in the “bowlâ€). The ledges near the top were treacherous. Luckily we had K10s. Honestly, a full-on crampon would probably be helpful here, though the K10s handled it. The best combo would be to bareboot it to 2400 or so, then do micros until you hit the scrambles. Then put on something beefier until you hit Dicey’s Mill. Then do micros on Dicey’s Mill all the way to the road. Some dude did the whole thing in sneakers and it ticked me off. Sure, he clearly made it since we didn’t see him again (he had passed us) but he was lucky. He put both himself and any potential rescuers at serious risk. Please, please, please use the right gear and don’t be stupid. |
|
 | Name: |
IanD |
|
 | E-Mail: |
iantdurham gmail com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-12-27 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
