| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington, Mt. Monroe, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Jewell Trail, Gulfside, Trinity Heights Connector, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Ammonoosuc Ravine Link |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, February 21, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
$10/person to park at the Cog Railway hiker parking lot. Approximately 0.5 mi each way distance would be added to park at the WMNF parking lot (plowed) on Base Station Rd ($5/car or free w/ annual WMNF or America the Beautiful Interagency pass). |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe, Skis |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Snow/ice bridges were intact but some of the lower ones seemed thin. Had no issues w/ crossing. Started on the cog railway trail and bushwhacked over to Jewell Trail to avoid the Jewell Link water crossing - did not check to see if it could be crossed safely. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No significant blowdowns to report |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs would likely be fine on this route provided they are used to hiking in the snow and above treeline. |
|
 | Bugs: |
NA |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Hiked up Jewell Trail to Mt Washington then down to Lakes of the Clouds, up to Mt Monroe, back to the hut and down Ammonoosuc Ravine. Jewell was mostly packed powder with some loose powder - we used bare boots to treeline. Above treeline I used spikes the rest of the hike. Crampons could be helpful due to plentiful ice above treeline but there was plenty of exposed rock and much of the ice could be avoided. We avoided the section of trail along the rim of Great Gulf so can't report on that - can follow the Cog railway at that point or go off trail to avoid that section. Crawford Path had loads of ice but there weren't really any "no fall" zones and most of it was avoidable and the rest was passable with spikes and caution. Monroe was mostly crust/hard packed snow. Ammo was beautifully packed powder the whole way and I did not use my snowshoes, crampons, ice axe, or the rope I borrowed and didn't even take any of them off my pack. I was nervous to descend that trail as it is quite steep and was reported to be glare ice a few weeks ago but there is a lot of snow in the ravine and the trail was in excellent condition - not a single rock step to be seen! Only one small tricky ledge that was icy but not in a "no fall" zone so a slip would have minimal consequence. Made it down from the hut in about an hour. |
|
 | Name: |
Christopher Cameron |
|
 | E-Mail: |
c_cameron1987@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-02-22 |
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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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