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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, NH
Trails
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Gulfside, Jewell Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the Cog. No issues at 8a 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All bridged 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw a couple who were doing fine 
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: I got a relatively early start, hitting the trail just before 8am. Ammo up was in great shape. I opted for snowshoes the entire time because it seemed a little smushy. There were sections of glare ice around the LoC Hut but snowshoes handled them fine. Sections of Monroe were bare rock and I cringed, but not enough to switch gear. Snowshoes were fine for the ascent of Washington (taking the route across the top of the ravine), although most others seemed to be doing it in just spikes.

On the summit, I switched to crampons for the descent down the Gulfside. Large sections were ice with occasional drifts. The snow was deeper and more drifted after the trail turns to go towards Clay. Stayed in crampons until I hit tree line on the Jewell. Have to say, that is the easiest time I've ever had following the Jewell above tree line! It was in good shape. Once I hit the trees, the snow became much deeper and was soft and sticky. There were a few post holes, but not many: mostly the trail was just churned up from barebooters, but not destroyed.

Most common footwear that I saw throughout the day was microspikes, but I personally felt a lot more comfortable in crampons and snowshoes (and wasn't the only one who felt that way). Can't say what the trails looked like later, but everything was in good shape while I was out there! Got back to the car around 3.  
Name
Name: Alex 
E-Mail
E-Mail: accx04@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-03-18 
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.

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