| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua (attempt), Bald Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Hammond Trail, Liberty Trail, Weetamoo Trail, Piper Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, March 30, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Only car at Hammond at 6:30 and 11:30. Room for a few cars in pull off “lot†and a few cars on side of road |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
First water crossing on Hammond has no good crossing close to it. I found a log .4 upstream on ascent and just walked on submerged rocks on descent. 2ns crossing has easy rock hop options. Chocorua River crossing on Weetamoo was done in two different spots, both with large downed trees. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Only one real blowdown all day a few tenths below Liberty Cabin. 15 foot section of pine snapped off across trail about 10†in diameter. Lots of tiny branches down but trails in great shape. Lower Hammond water bars could use some love-pretty clogged with leaves on the hardwoods ascent below 1800’ |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Lots of water on trail today. Ice was never really an issue/ avoidable. Fin pulled a first on me and got spooked by the trail at ~3050’. We were traversing under a steep slab and she just looked up and said no way and retreated. Tried to coax her with a treat and she actually ran 100’ down the trail. She is either getting wiser or more cowardly in her advanced age!!! I made her hike Bald Mountain a second time as punishment. lots of deep frozen post holes up high so that could be a hazard at the moment as well. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Small white earbud charger sitting on the Nickerson ledge/piper intersection sign |
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 | Comments: |
Great successful day of redlining on Chocorua. Failed to reach the Summit as mentioned above but I like to think Fin’s refusal was God’s way of making sure one or both of us didn’t get hurt today! trace ice/snow until softwood transition at 1800’. After Bald Mountain the snow gets a lot deeper and the monorail, which is postholed all to hell, makes an appearance. It was very solid this morning with the early hiking, and snow to the sides was supportive, so it was pretty easy to navigate despite the horrid appearance. I barebooted all the way up, although rock spikes above. Alm Mountain would be alright if one desired. Put spikes on for descent and kept them on until 1700’ on Weetamoo where once again it transitioned to hardwoods and snow disappeared. Once at piper I hiked up to Nickerson and then bushwhacked straight back down to river crossing to save considerable time before the slog back up Weetamoo. Beautiful day to be out on Chocorua!!! |
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 | Name: |
Spence, Fin the Dog |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-03-30 |
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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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