NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette, NH
Trails
Trails: Falling Waters Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, February 7, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: 20+ cars at 10 AM, only 5 at 2:35 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All bridged & solid with no ice 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: All good, a few minor duck-unders on Old Bridle Path 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: One happy one coming down from Little Haystack 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Late start at 10, temps around 20. Started out in micro-spikes and the trail was quite firm, otherwise I would have switched to snowshoes early. I knew it was a bit windy on the ridge with light snow coming after 1 so I wanted to move fast and be on the way down Lafayette in case visibility became poor. Met Rocket21 and gang at Shining Rock (they did the reverse loop) and they all had snowshoes on from the start. I decided to opt for crampons just below treeline & also put winter gear on. It was quite breezy with gusts near 50 MPH but there was enough shelter in spots where the trail wound among the rocks & scrub. Crampons were the right move because the snowpack was pretty firm between Haystack & Lincoln and I was able to negotiate the bare, rocky sections much easier. Between Lincoln & Lafayette the trail became somewhat snowier but there were only a few spots where I sunk in 6-12". As I approached the col before the summit push, Lafayette disappeared in cold mist and soon visibility was around 200 feet. There are VERY few cairns on Franconia Ridge so you have to be really careful to stay on the trail!
This is not a 'casual' hike and could be life-threatening with just one poor decision! Make sure to check recent snowfall reports and weather conditions for the expected duration of your hike and don't ever be afraid to turn around if you are unsure about anything. You don't want to get caught in 'no man's land' and not be able to get down.
I felt relief heading down Greenleaf trail but suddenly the wind was at its fiercest for almost a half-mile. I was never so happy to reach the sheltering scrub!. From there the snowshoe trough was still well-defined with some blowing snow; I kept my crampons on because I was not sinking in at all. After I reached the hut visibility got better so I kept looking up as far as I could see to make sure the couple I passed much earlier were on their way down. Finally after 10 minutes I saw them moving safely down the slope so I descended Bridle Path with peace-of-mind. The trail remained firm so I stayed in crampons all the way down without a single posthole. I would have put snowshoes on if necessary but the footbed was remarkably solid. ALWAYS carry snowshoes if you have them!
I completed the entire loop in 4:35 and that included 10 minutes fumbling with my gear change and another 10 waiting for those last hikers to reach safety on the way down Lafayette. About an inch of new snow had fallen lower down but thankfully, it did not impede visibility on the ridge. I gave serious thought to not even doing the hike because of my late start but I rolled the dice, trusted my fitness & gear and knew what to expect once above treeline. Lincoln & Lafayette give me #36 & 37 in my quest for the solo single-season Winter 48. Not sure what's up next but it sure is getting 'interesting' as I get down to the nitty-gritty.
 
Name
Name: Bob H 
E-Mail
E-Mail: hynoskyb@aol.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-02-07 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved