| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Agiocochook Crag, Ball Crag, Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Great Gulf Trail, Wamsutta Trail, Alpine Garden Trail, Huntington Ravine Trail, Nelson Crag Trail, Auto Road, Chandler Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 29, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
No issues |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No real issues on any crossings all day. Water is high from spring melt but with little thought one can princess feet across and stay dry. The two on Great Gulf are suspension bridges which if you want to make your hungover friend hurl, is quite easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Overall superb conditions. There is one MASSIVE blowdown that has fallen parallel on trail between Chandler Brook and Wam/6H junction on GGT. This is a monsterous 50'+ tree that will take significant effort (or bribery of friends) to remove. There are a few blowdowns on Chandler, luckily they are about 0.2 up from GGT. Other than that, all trails are in great shape and waterbars are flowing well. We did some touch up along our way |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
We did run into a fellow and his dog early on. I really wouldnt reccomend any trails diverging from GGT for dogs. That's just me, though. |
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 | Bugs: |
Skeeters came out as the sun waned. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A FINE day was had in and above the forest. We where looking for a challenging day and this checked off MANY boxes. We collectively agreed that of our combined Washington ascents, this is the most difficult direct ascent of the big boy (This trio is 99%, 99%, 97% gridiots). We had not been in the Great Gulf in a few years, atleast three by our best guess, so all these trails where 'new' again. This was more of a redline day for us. Great Gulf Trail is in amazing shape, and for something that leads to a Presidential, especialy a Northern, was like a siren song calling us in. Too gentle, too good, for too long. Once we turned onto a new-to-us trail, Wamsutta, it all changed. The WMG erroniously labels Wamsutta as Weetamoo's (Pocasset Princess, aka Six Husbands) first husband. He was actually her second husband, and the successor to the great Sachem Massasoit, who we all learned about in Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving special. Sorry, history nerd. Anyways. This trail is extremely challenging. Far harder than six husbands or huntington, and deserving a spot on the terrifying 25. There is one short pitch that CalTopo has at a staggering 51 degree gradient. Once you top out of that, the trail still ascends incredibly steeply but mellows out, gradually. Commanding views of the Northern big boys. It actually turns in spots to straight duff (think Kate Sleeper Trail). A really great trail. Noted some skiers doing some runs above Alpine Garden, though it was only about 300' of rapidly ebbing snowpack. We then hopped over to the Alpine Garden Trail. It should be noted that at about 5000 feet as of today was the sweet spot, far more evident on Wamsutta. Diapensia and Rhodora are in full bloom. Another week or two for the Garden to be awash in a sea of purple and white. Truly breathtaking and many stops where had to take in the true rare beauty of these flowers. We grabbed the 100yd hanging chad of Huntington, and rock hopped over to the recognized summit (a monel rivet) on Agiocochook Crag. Did not note anything similar on Ball, but there where three bumps that we hit so I am sure we hit the true high point. We did wait in a short line for a summit shot, followed by bacon pizza and a hot dog. Oh man, did that hit the spot. Winds on our arrival on Wash where thirteen miles an hour, and our departure a staggering 19. Views - about 100m. A truly stolen day up high. They dont get that gentle too often. We then turned our focus to a seldom used trail, Chandler Brook. The auto road is needed to visit this trail. It is actually a REALLY nice trail. A fine mix of Chemin Des Dames, Sphinx, Kings Ravine and Great Gully trails. It follows an amazing waterfall virtually the whole way. No real spot for pictures, just memories. Very easy to follow until the last 1/10 (on the descent) where it is slightly ambigious, but that could be from tired legs. I have been hiking with Sidehill and Poptart for about five years now. We have never done anything close to a relaxing or 'easy' day. Today was no different. One of the finest days on trail in memory. I am feeling tha 5500 gain now! |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Sidehill, Poptart |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-05-29 |
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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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