| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua, Middle Sister, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Champney Falls Trail, Champney Falls Loop, Piper Trail, Middle Sister Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 23, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of space. About 5 cars at 8:15 AM and 10 at 3 PM. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossing of Twin brook at the start was an easy rock-hop. The two crossings of Champney brook were rock-hoppable with thought and care in the morning. By the afternoon the rock-hops were easier. Perhaps for being further removed from Wednesday and Thursdays precipitation. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Nothing major, thanks for the work. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Two parties we saw with dogs decided not to summit Chocorua due to the high winds. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
One black micro-spike bag found and left at the lot kiosk. |
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 | Comments: |
Patches of avoidable ice starting on the upper part of Champney Falls loop. Consistent frozen granular, or blue ice, or blue ice covered by a dusting of snow starting on the switchbacks (some bare patches nonetheless). Microspikes highly recommended for this section of the trail. Piper trail below treeline could be barebooted with care. Once above treeline it was mostly dry with a few patches ice. Middle Sister trail was similar to Piper below treeline. Microspikes preferred on Champney Falls cutoff, but not required.
The skies cleared up beautifully, but it was windy above treeline. Washington reported gusts of over 130 mph. Can't be sure, but I believe the gusts were over 70 mph on Chocorua. In any case, when not sheltered from the Westerly wind you were sometimes reduced to crawling to avoid being blown off a ledge. |
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 | Name: |
Al S |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-04-23 |
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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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