Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Passaconaway, Mt. Whiteface, NH |
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| Trails: |
Oliverian Brook Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff, Square Ledge Trail, Walden Trail, Rollins Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Downes Brook Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Oliverian Brook lot without issue. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Opting for our bailout route down Downes Brook, we had to cross the brook something like 13 times. While easy in the upper section of the trail, the brook widens out to 40+ feet at various places and requires careful footing, as the snow bridges are not secure. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many blowdowns on Downes Brook |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
From Oliverian Brook trail, light snow gradually building up to 6" of fresh powder. Used microspikes for first 1.5mi, but switched to snowshoes for remainder of the day. Snow pack still not completely settled, and minimal rock and root protrusion (enough to be a minor annoyance and a few awkward ankles). Better in upper stretches and very few issues with ice. Downes Brook trail was the challenge of the day. We were behind pace and sluggish, so opted to bail out at Downes Brook instead of crossing the Sleepers to climb the South Slide in the dark. Downes Brook had a lone booter the day or two before, but still 6"+ of trailbreaking. The brook crossings were the most challenging, as some were over 40' across absent stable snow bridges. We did this whole stretch in the dark, making it even more challening. |
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| Name: |
Eric R |
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| E-Mail: |
eric.robbie@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-12-30 |
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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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