| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, Mt. Clay, Mt. Jefferson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Monroe Loop, Crawford Path, Camel Trail, Davis Path, Trinity Heights Connector, Gulfside, Clay Loop, Jefferson Loop, Caps Ridge Trail, Boundary Line Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, September 30, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at Ammo; plenty of parking. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ammo is rock hoppable at Gem Pool but the upper crossing is submerged. Waterproof shoes were perfect.
Boundary Line is a knee-deep short wading exercise, noting that there is a perfectly placed fallen tree that you could definitely scoot across. However, at that point, I was tired so I just forged right across. Wet feet actually felt kind of good! |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns on my route, except Boundary Line which has a new one on the Jefferson Notch Road side of the water crossing. It’s a stepover, no problem. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Today the off-leash dog did not lunge at me, teeth bared and barking, the way that the off-leash husky did between South Twin and Galehead Hut on Thursday. That pretty much ruined that day. Thanks so much to the growing group of irresponsible dog owners. At least I didn’t get bitten like the summer of 2020 near the Tripyramids.
Fingers crossed that eventually people begin to control their trail dogs and keep them, and other hikers, safe. |
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 | Bugs: |
Happily that season has passed. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing today. |
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 | Comments: |
I hiked a loop for Monroe, Washington, Clay and Jefferson including a side trip across the Bigelow Lawn via the Camel Trail. Lots of people (hikers and Washington summit tourists) enjoying the absolutely spectacular weather. Clear skies, temps well above freezing. And there was no wind. Zero. Zilch. Nada. It was funny that the hikers on Mt Washington were in single layers or even shorts (with huge backpacks that were likely just like mine, filled with winter weather gear that was never needed), and the Cog riders and Auto Road drivers were dressed for winter (yay for being prepared!!). There is a small pile of snow under one of the Observatory antennas, and there were a bunch of people having snowball fights. Some other hikers told me that it was so clear that you could see the Atlantic Ocean, but I will admit that I wasn’t able to see it.
There were two helicopters making passes. One came from the Pinkham side, landed at LooC Hut and then took off for the Ammo side. I got an awesome view of that from Monroe. As the morning went on it kept landing at LooC, eventually with something hanging below it. Training? I don’t know. The other one was back and forth between Jefferson and Washington for a while.
Despite the amazing weather I noted ice on the slabs and in the little standing pools on the Ammo trail, starting at 4800’. Definitely watch your step!
It warmed my heart that, when I descended down to the junction of Gulfside with the Mt Clay Trail, there were two hikers standing there with a waterproof AMC map mulling the decision - Mt Clay loop vs Gulfside. Prepared hikers - yay! I shared with them the trail beta that I had about the two options.
All of the trail signs are intact and there are good blazes and cairns on the lesser traveled trails. Boundary Line is a bit of a muddy mess but there are good trail rocks for hopping. It was such a beautiful day and the leaves are putting on such a show that even the Jefferson Notch Road roadwalk to Bounday Line was a treat!
Very memorable day above treeline! |
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 | Name: |
Bikecamphikegirl |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-10-01 |
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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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