| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Holts Ledge, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Holts Ledge Trail, Trapper John Shelter Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 16, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking in the hiker lot next to the Dartmouth Skiway, and the lot on Goose Pond Road just up the road from the AT crossing. Both lots were plowed, and the roads leading to them were in fairly good condition if a bit bumpy in places. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No major crossings on this route, and all the wet areas were totally frozen. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails were in good condition. Just a little bit of ice, mostly on the descent from Holts Ledge to the Dartmouth Skiway, and all signs were in place. One large blowdown on Trapper John Spur. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I guess. Considering that temperatures were below zero this morning, dogs probably wouldn't be comfortable in that, but trail conditions would otherwise have been fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
In sub-zero temperatures? I don't think so! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was a fun hike on a beautiful, clear, windless, and cold day. Trail conditions were very good - the trail was nicely solid and we hardly ever sank into the snow. A few patches of ice that were avoidable. I was able to bareboot the entire way with care, but some might want the added security of micro-spikes. Although we both brought snowshoes, they were not needed - not enough snow for them at the moment.
The summit was unmarked, but it's pretty clear when you're in the vicinity of it. Not a lot of ups and downs along the ridge - the trail mostly just goes up to the summit and then down the other side. Trapper John Shelter Spur was less packed out, but the bootprints that were there were easily followable, and the snow was shallow enough that I could still bareboot. At the shelter, someone had written the comment "A register would be nice" on one of the outside notices. Strangely, however, the shelter actually did have a register. Either it was put there after that comment had been written, or the person who wrote that comment just didn't notice it.
Views were excellent - one outlook south of the summit, and a whole bunch (including the main ledges) north of it. We saw a bunch of people coming up the north side as we were descending, and a pair of hikers at the summit, but nobody south of the summit. Very enjoyable hike! |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-01-16 |
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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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