| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Surprise, Mt. Moriah, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Herd path, Carter Moriah Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 23, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Trailhead sign is missing. Folks parked haphazardly, so only 3 vehicles could fit in there. Parked at the power lines instead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few large blowdowns before Mt. Surprise. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Took the logging road/herd path from the power lines, which was snow free. Carter Moriah Trail was mostly snow free up to Mt. Surprise and was barebootable.
Ledges above Mt. Surprise were somewhat treacherous. Some were covered in running water, some were covered with an inch or two of snow, and some were covered in a layer of ice. I barebooted with extreme care (I find Microspikes to be detrimental on angled bare ledge), but Microspikes would possibly be better first thing in the morning if temperatures drop enough. Crampons would probably be detrimental due to the lack of thickness of the ice.
Consistent snow started around 2,600 feet, initially only a few inches. Residual snowpack picked up/increased in depth closer to 3,200 feet; all troughed, no monorail. The swamp with subpar bog bridging is still currently snow covered, with a couple of mud pits showing on the side. I barebooted this stretch on the ascent, but left my snowshoes on for the descent due to the softening snow (I did not want to posthole into the deep mud...it's only a matter of time without snowshoes).
On the ascent, I put on my snowshoes around 3,600 feet, as the recent snow grew deeper, particularly with still-active drifting; was working too hard in bareboots, and was starting to leave a mess for others with the softening afternoon snow. Cleaned it up on the descent with snowshoes.
Snowpack grew to perhaps 3 feet in places nearing the summit. No tracks coming up the other side; would probably want snowshoes for that tomorrow with the drifting.
Windy afternoon, but sunny skies and warming temperatures kept it from getting chilly. Lower mountain seemed like May, while the upper mountain seemed like late March. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-04-23 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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