| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Major, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Boulder Loop Trail, Brook Trail, Mt. Major Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, December 30, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Mt. Major trailhead parking area was maybe half full when we arrived in the morning, mostly full when we got back down a few hours later. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All fairly easy rock hops. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple blowdowns, but they weren't an impediment to travel. Brook Trail lives up to its name - large portions of the trail were basically a frozen brook, and hikers all went around it on either side - the trail should maybe be re-routed sometime. All signs were in place, but some of them were facing the opposite direction that we were going (particularly as we descended Brook Trail, the signs were clearly intended for ascending hikers). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
They'd probably be OK if they know how to avoid ice. Make sure you follow the dog-related rules that are posted on the information board at the parking area. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
This was a very enjoyable hike. Boulder Loop Trail can be barebooted the whole way - there are a few icy spots in the flatter parts of the trail, but the steeper sections don't have much ice, and the ice that's there is easily avoidable. You should still bring spikes just in case, though. Views from the summit were incredible as always, and even better, there wasn't much wind today.
Brook Trail from the summit to the junction with Jesus Valley-Beaver Pond Trail can be barebooted. Below this, however, spikes are needed. There is a very large amount of ice on Brook Trail, so much that the trail is a river of ice in many places and everyone is just hiking on either side. It was pretty much the same story until we were just a few tenths from the parking area. Snowshoes are unnecessary - they wouldn't be of any help anywhere (and I'm a snowshoe devotee!).
We saw a fair number of people on all the trails, most of whom social distanced. If this is what Mt. Major is like on a Wednesday in December, I can't imagine what it must be like on a summer weekend - it must be an absolute madhouse. |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-12-30 |
|
 | 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. |
|
