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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Jackson, Mt. Pierce, Mt. Eisenhower, NH
Trails
Trails: Webster-Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, January 19, 2023
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at trailhead lot for the Webster-Jackson trail off US 302 in Crawford Notch. Lot plowed. Can hold many vehicles. Lot full today with ample roadside parking on wide shoulder. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: The water crossing on Webster-Jackson was ice bridged. Held all of us without issue (I was the heaviest at 170LBS). 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: My dog did fine. Some open water points, mostly on Crawford Path. I dressed him in a winter coat (he’s a pit bull/terrier/border collie mix). No booties needed. Met cute Tilly getting her first 4000 footer.  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Route:
Webster-Jackson trl > Jackson Branch (though not officially named this) > Webster Cliff trl > Crawford Path > Mt Eisenhower Loop > Crawford Path > end.

Webster-Jackson: well blazed in blue. Perfect Whites style snow sidewalk. Firm footbed, simple to follow the trench. Ice well covered in grippy snow. Spikes or snowshoes would be fine. The steep summit scramble was easily negotiated as ice was well covered and snow trampled down.

Webster Cliff: this is the AT and is blazed in standard white blazes. Also lovely, firm snow sidewalk. No ice issues at all. I thought for sure the ledge descent off Jackson would give me grief (this being my 10th time here I fully expected ice slathered ledges), but it was a super easy hop, skip and jump down the ledges. Spikes or snowshoes appropriate. The ladders that are above the hut had nice, firm trenches to their lateral side making the ladders not an issue. I found spikes to be more helpful once beginning the ascent up Mt Pierce from the hut as this 0.8 miles is quite steep at the start, and there is a minimal snow layer over what is undeniably an ice luge. One could totally do it in snowshoes, though. The snow was very grippy.

Crawford Path: also the AT from the jct with Webster Cliff and Eisenhower Loop but blazes not visible this time of year. Trail not blazed outside of the AT. Carins remain visible above the short snow pack. Fantastic, firm snow sidewalk all the way (trailhead to Eisenhower Loop jct). Snowshoes or spikes would work fine. One gentleman was barebooting. No one was postholing.

Mt Eisenhower Loop: all carins visible above the low snow pack. Trail simple to follow. Not well established trench due to winds blowing deeper snow off the mountain top. Thick ice under a nice, but very shallow, crusty snow layer for nearly all of the trail. Spikes recommended for safety. Crampons may be overkill but if they keep you safe, then by all means, wear them. The barebooter put on spikes for the slippery ice/snow mix.

Perfect Whites winter trails. Perfect.  
Name
Name: Reemington34 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2023-01-19 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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