| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Whitehouse Trail, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 29, 2022 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Liberty Springs parking lot plowed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There are 6 crossings of the brook above the Flume Slide Trail junction, all of which are open. No real difficulty crossing, but no ice bridges so choose rocks carefully. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One duck under blowdown shortly after turning onto Franconia Ridge and then a spruce that fell down the middle of the trail requiring a walk around. Frozen in place, but may eventually need a saw if it can’t be dragged off trail. A few other step over blowdowns here and there, but none really problematic. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A beautiful day, but what a range of conditions. Started on a mix of bar ground, frozen leaves and ice. Snow started to be more prevalent around 2000 foot level, but there were areas of water running down the trail mixed in and there was still lots of ice. Well packed snow increased above 3000 feet. Wore spikes the whole rest of the way due to intermittent ice after several near falls on the Whitehouse Trail. They will need to be sharpened after today’s abuse. Carried snowshoes but never encountered any areas that merited their use. There are a few postholes up high that appear old; I did not break through anywhere today. [but it will be warming up!]
I met people who came up Flume Slide. They reported crusty snow, but easily managed with crampons. Also met people who came up Osseo. They reported fairly tough going with a dusting over snow over ice on the steeps. No sign anyone has headed north on Franconia Ridge from Liberty Springs junction. |
|
 | Name: |
Jay Baxter |
|
 | E-Mail: |
Jbaxtermdfacs@comcast.net |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2022-12-29 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
