NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Washington, NH
Trails
Trails: Old Jackson Road, Nelson Crag Trail, Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Lion Head Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of room in the Pinkham Notch parking lot one day after the holiday weekend. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No significant crossings except those on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail that are bridged 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails in good condition. There are some evergreen boughs intruding in to the Nelson Crag Trail although there was evidence of some trimming/cutting in a couple of places on this trail. I didn't notice a tree line warning sign on the Nelson Crag Trail. The cairns on the Nelson Crag Trail are generally of good size and there are some small scree walls. Even so, the exact path of the trail was ambiguous in a few spots but you shouldn't get lost. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Not much water above tree line. Saw some on the Lion Head Trail. 
Bugs
Bugs: A few were flying, but not a nuisance 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Lots of damp surfaces below tree line in the morning. Dry in the alpine zone and in the afternoon. The Nelson Crag trail is natural and rocky. No rock stairs or ladders. There are some small ledges to scramble over including some that were wet. Often there are sufficient foot and hand holds to facilitate the climb. In a few cases there are improvised walk arounds that avoided the ledges. Above tree line the Nelson Crag Trail is mostly rock hopping. In general, the Lion Head Trail is easier going than the Nelson Crag Trail. There are a few tricky ledges down low on the Lion Head Trail but there are also some rock stairs and a ladder. The lower part of the Tuckerman Ravine Trail is a monotonous rock filled path but the footing is good. The Tuckerman Ravine Trail above Lion Head is on the rock pile of Mt Washington with generally decent footing. It is on the rock cone where I usually find unprepared hikers looking ragged.
Great views from the extensive stretches of trail in the alpine zone. Nice foliage up and down Pinkham Notch. Nice view to the upper part of Huntington Ravine from Nelson Crag. Best look in to Tuckerman Ravine was from Lion Head. Great visibility from ME to VT from the summit.
The Sherman Adams building was open but the food, museum, and souvenir places were closed for the season. The info desk was manned. The Tip Top house and Stage buildings were closed. The auto road and cog railroad were operating. Temperatures reached about 57F with almost no wind.
Walked with Rick B and his group on Old Jackson Road as they were headed to Madison Gulf. Met three hikers who ascended via Huntington Ravine. Walked downhill with a travelling physical therapist from OH. I saw no other hikers on the Nelson Crag Trail until I was uphill from the Huntington Ravine Trail junction.

 
Name
Name: WAUMBEK 
E-Mail
E-Mail: waumbek@roadrunner.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-10-12 
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.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved