| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Tecumseh, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Tecumseh Trail, Sosman Trail, ski trails |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 4, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of room at ski area (slated to open next weekend). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Rock hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One stepover on the lower trail that will probably have to wait until spring. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO ICE. Saw one dog, which was struggling due to the significant blue ice. Owner was looking for a way to bail. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
If I were to do this one again, I would bring Hillsounds or crampons. Microspikes are a liability in these conditions. Trying to walk in the woods to the side of the trail does significant environmental damage with Microspikes (destroys root systems and therefore promotes subsequent erosion and trail creep).
Lower trail was mostly snow free. Ice starts just before the top water crossing. Said ice is from the previously packed snow absorbing the rain, thawing, then freezing solid. Some nasty stuff in the descent to the water crossing and around the ski viewpoint, alternating with a few bare stretches.
Above 3,000 feet, it's pretty much solid blue ice on the trail. Steady snowpack in the woods (a few inches of frozen granular) started above 3,500 feet. I would not have been able to safely descend in Microspikes, as they weren't getting purchase in the ice, and enough of it was at an angle to make it dangerous. Sosman Trail to the summit (left at the crooked sign) was also icy, but apparently the Mt. Tecumseh side was much worse.
Sosman Trail over to the ski area was a little tricky on the ascent/descent, but otherwise fine for Microspikes due to the lack of pitch.
Ski area is not yet open, and snowmaking is not yet in progress in the High Country, so the initial descent was fine (generally just a dusting of snow on the grass). Stayed to the left of the main lift (snowmaking in progress along the upper lift line).
Nice partly sunny late morning/early afternoon with temperatures touching the freezing mark around the base, but still fairly chilly at the summit. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-04 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/ |
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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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