| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Field, Mt. Willey, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, Willey Range Trail, Ethan Pond Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 12, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Had to park on road at Highland Center but not too far away. Lots of cars lining the road down to the Jackson Trailhead lot on my return around noon. Got picked up at Arethusa Falls lot where only a few cars were parked. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No problems, small ice bridges still in place |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I cleared a number of small blowdowns, a few bigger ones left in place but easy to get around or under. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw one dog summiting Field. I wouldn't recommend taking a dog if you plan to descend the eastern side towards Willey House. The steeps are intense but possibly doable for some dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
snow fleas everywhere! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
1 black knit hat, 1 yak trac |
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 | Comments: |
The trail from Highland Center all the way to Mt. Willey is brilliant right now. Hard packed surface made it easy to cruise up with just microspikes. Continuing on from Willey is another story, particularly right from the top as you start down. Loose, deep snow, with lots of postholes from previous barebooters, and softer conditions from the sun beating directly down on that side all morning. Snowshoes were in order for safety and efficiency. However, they did not keep me from sliding on my butt the majority of the way down. Crampons would not have been any help either. The ladder is snowed under and on either side of it is a straight down, steep, long, no traction whatsoever section that dictates holding your breath and just going for it, whether you want to or not, hoping you don't lose control and smash into a tree! So. Much. Fun! It continues like that for most of the way until you reach the junction for Ethan Pond and Zealand. The trail returns to hardpack and the shoes can come off if you must. Otherwise, good idea to keep them on to help smooth out the trail a bit more and eliminate any more post holes. It will be a difficult up climb from this way but doable with some extra effort. Otherwise, such a beautiful day to get that natural high! Happy hiking! |
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 | Name: |
Gi Jo |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-03-12 |
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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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