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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Hale, NH
Trails
Trails: Snowmobile trail, Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Trestle Trail, Spruce Goose XC Ski Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 25, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Zealand Road is still gated. There is a no parking sign at the gate, but people disregarded it yesterday. Do not block the gate! Campground staff are driving Zealand Road. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Both were hoppable on wet rocks. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: A few minor stepovers on Hale Brook Trail. A few larger ones on Spruce Goose. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Zealand Road was snow free and dry. There is still one blowdown remaining, but otherwise I can't imagine this will be closed much longer.

Hale Brook Trail was snow free up to the first water crossing, with some minor mud. Between the two crossings, there were a few small patches of snow. Microspikes went on after the top crossing. Full snowpack at 3,400 feet, with monorail changing to a trough. Firm enough for Microspikes this morning, but had light snowshoes on the pack just in case. There's still 2-3 feet of snow pack up high, so conditions could change based upon temps/precip/humidity.

To avoid the paved road walk on the descent, I took the Trestle Trail from the parking lot, then took the Spruce Goose ski trail from the campground out. This added about 0.4 mile with a few minor ups and downs, but it was a pleasant walk (evident footbed on this trail, as compared to when it crosses the Hale Brook Trail). Noted some trillium starting to bud.

Staff is already staying at the campground, but said it won't open until the end of May.

Much nicer weather than anticipated this morning with the rain holding off and a little bit of sun filtering through the clouds. Did not see any other hikers.  
Name
Name: rocket21 
E-Mail
E-Mail: rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-04-25 
Link
Link: https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos 
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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