| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Shaw, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Road walk, Cold Spring Trail, Faraway Mountain Connector, Faraway Mountain Trail, Oak Ridge Cutoff, High Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
First time parking in the Hiker/Events parking area. First car there in the morning and only two when I returned in afternoon. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged. Good thing, because the streams were really flowing. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is on blowdown on the Oak Ridge Cutoff just after the intersection with the Upper Bridal Path (on ascent). It blocks the trail but is not very large. Easy walk around. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
NA |
|
 | Bugs: |
NA |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
NA |
|
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|
 | Comments: |
Brought snowshoes but decided against carrying them after surveying conditions. I guessed right. Cold Spring Road is snow free; Cold Spring Trail is about 10% snow/ice covered. Faraway Connector is about 25% snow covered. Short section of Faraway was mostly snow/ice covered, but only a thin layer. Oak Ridge Cutoff was about 75% snow/ice covered with depths varying from a couple of inches to a foot. More snow the higher you go. High Ridge was a real mess and severely post holed up until you get onto the snowmobile section. Then it is a sidewalk all the way to the summit.
I put microspikes on at the start of the Oak Ridge Cutoff and kept them on until I was back at the same spot later in the day. This worked out great on the ascent as the snow was still hard and supportive from the cold night. On the return, the surfaces had softened considerably but still mostly OK. However, there was lots of melting going on and the bare spots were very muddy and slippery. |
|
 | Name: |
Maineguy |
|
 | E-Mail: |
wtmtclimber@yahoo.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-03-23 |
|
 | 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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