| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Twin Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Little River Road, snowmobile trail, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, herd path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, January 21, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Seven Dwarfs. For those who haven't yet, it's a suggested donation to leave a tenner in the mailbox. But please do. I had a chat with the owner, and between COVID shutting him down for Memorial and Labor days, plus thin snow making for no snowmobilers, he's taking it on the chin pretty bad. He likes hikers and made it clear he watches out for us, so let's lend a helping hand. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
As of this writing... be very careful crossing the Little River at the third crossing. It's frozen, but barely. The snow bridges are intact and functional. There's a couple spots where you'll take a long step to pass over a void. But whatever you do, don't step to one side to take a photo. Just trust me on that. Don't ask, there's nothing good there. Just know the ice is as thin as an inch, and the water is a tad chilly. Move smartly, and always consider whether you should come back another day or maybe even head up via a different route. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail was overall fine. There are several branches and trees that are bent over the trail, particularly in the lower reaches, but those are at most duck-unders. The herd path on the eastern bank of the river is straightforward, but obviously, not as maintained as the official path. There is one blow-down blocking the trail, but a go-around is there, too. (Someone with a handsaw could make quick work of this. I regret I didn't have the time to do so myself today.) |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One boot at the trailhead kiosk. (One? How'd you get off-trail?) |
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|
 | Comments: |
I'd forgotten how hard this trail was, and with the unconsolidated powder, wow, it was difficult. I bagged North Twin, but the day just wasn't long enough to shoot across that easy col to South. Oh well, I'll come back another day, but maybe by Galehead next time.
Trail is banged out by a few snowshoe wearing hikers, and that goes as much for the trail from Seven Dwarfs as it does for the trail up the mountain. Assuming we don't get a foot of snow by the weekend, it should be quite enjoyable then. If there's some number going up on Saturday, Sunday's conditions should be pretty sweet.
It's thick cover in the higher elevations -- as much as two feet -- so consider heavier snowshoes over lighter spikes. The monorail is pretty nice at this point. It'd be a shame to mess it up.
A more detailed write-up, with photos, is on my blog, as always. Enjoy, feel free to share with your social media pals, and please consider subscribing! |
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 | Name: |
Protean Wanderer |
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 | E-Mail: |
hiker@proteanwanderer.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-01-21 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.proteanwanderer.com/2021/01/22/trip-report-hiking-up-the-steep-slopes-of-north-twin-mountain/ |
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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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