| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington, Mt. Monroe, Mt. Franklin, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Jackson, Mt. Webster, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Franklin Loop, Eisenhower Loop, Webster Cliff Trail, Webster-Jackson Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of space at the Crawford Station lot. Ammo lot was snow free and likewise plenty of space. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A blowdown or two to limbo under or walk around on the Webster Cliff Trail between Pierce and Jackson |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one dog at LoC |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We ascended Ammo in spikes to Emerald Pool. Switched to snowshoes at that point for traction and televators and also the snow was beginning to soften because of the warmth. Not a lot of postholes but some, so just watch your step.
Some of the ice patches on Ammo, around LoC, and on the way up to Washington were a little sketch in the snowshoes we kept on out of habit (and would be in spikes as well). Later on most of these became soft and almost too grippy on the spikes we switched to for the descent. The ice pools around LoC were breaking through into puddles if you walked over them.
There are a couple of improvised routes crossing the sidehill above Ammonoosuc Ravine from LoC to the Washington ascent. Shoes and spikes were sticking, but it's iffy and don't miss a footstep. You're better off staying higher on the Crawford Path unless you're cruising with crampons.
Crawford from LoC to Pierce can be done in spikes no prob. THOUGH if the warming trend continues the surface will soften up, the snow is deep on the northern sides of the hills and areas prone to drifting, and you'll want snowshoes. The southern exposure of Monroe is pretty barren. We barebooted for a while, carrying the spikes in our hands b/c suddenly your back in the snow fields. Likewise the top of Ike is snowless, but immediately on the descent towards Pierce there's a big snowfield and the bare spots thereafter aren't worth removing the spikes for.
We descended to Mizpah hut in spikes, but could have easily switched to snowshoes except they're a nuisance on the steep descent and ended up butt sliding a couple places regardless. Switched back to shoes for the rest of the Webster Cliff trek all the way out to Webster. The Jackson-Webster stretch is significantly less packed and you need snowshoes. It's also a carwash, though any snowbombs likely melted by the time we got there. Slackers for the win! Descended Webster-Jackson trail in spikes. It was dark, there were a moderate number of old postholes and more deep footprints, so was cursing the soft snow barebooters every almost-twist of an ankle. The cursing was fairly constant by the Jackson trail intersection. |
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 | Name: |
Muench |
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 | E-Mail: |
erik.coder@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-03-17 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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