| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, December 26, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
As usual, despite multiple says saying "NO PARKING" three out of state plates parked in full view of said signs. Shocking. I absolutely love the not-so-passive-agrressive person who moved the barricade that says <---- ALL PARKING against someones truck. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Always bring a taller friend. Supplemental to yesterdays pair of trip reports, the ice bulge at the upper (last) crossing is straight up bullet. There are very few instances in which I question my Tubbs Flex VRT's stage five clinger abilities. This was one of them. I was able to ascend and descend this small bulge by front pointing and yelling "JOE DODGE TAKE THE WHEEL" while leap-of-faithing it. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There are many minor trees down and lots of limbs. We made a point to try and clear limbs off trail both up and down. Anything that's currently down is small diamater and a saw should have no problems |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I wouldn't think any issues for a doggo |
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 | Bugs: |
A sextet of bare booters, four of whom carried snowshoes. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
A MARVELOUS day was had in Henry's Woods. I was borderline kidnapped this morning and told I was hiking Hale. So off I willingly went. Zealand Road is plowed, presumably to the summer trailhead. I have noticed several logging roads that are being kept plowed when they usually aren't. Wonder if they plan to do some cutting. As noted in parking, there are several signs that say don't park in front of the gate or the road. Just don't. Bareboot on the road without issues. Snowshoes from summer TH to same point upon return. It's been chewed up by atleast six barebooters. The sidehill section is not as death defying as it normally is, but these bare boots did not help. Trail is very soft from this section to summit in spots. We post holed in snow shoes on the way down. Best part was a pair with MSR Lightning Ascents on their pack saying what a calf workout this trail is. You are literally carrying a tool that would have made your life so much easier, but instead the post holed the heck out of the trail and made it worse for everyone. You will need snowshoes for this trail for the foreseeable future, its packed well to the first water crossing, but after that, YMMV, especially with more and more bare booters postholing and roto tilling.
WEAR YOUR SNOWSHOES |
|
 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Mountain Goat, Capt. Chris |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-26 |
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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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