| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Little River Road, herd path, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, Fire Wardens Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 2, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at 7 Dwarves |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Drainages rock hop-able or easily crossed by long steps or jumping |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I took down one 4" blowdown on low end of Fire Warden's |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One familiar face seen |
|
 | Bugs: |
None seen |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
n/a |
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|
 | Comments: |
Bare-booted from 7 Dwarves to the green Trail sign, and put on spikes about halfway in before reaching Haystack Road as it was slippery. Could have just bare-booted on Haystack, but there were a few slick, icy spots, and the spikes increased footing confidence and travel speed. Stuck to spikes on the North Twin Trail. All the drainages were flowing but easily navigable by rock-hopping, long stepping, or jumping. The rain and freeze from the previous night had made the trail well glazed, and I walked right past Fire Warden's trail and had to double back when I noticed my error. All the foot traffic was going to the Twins, and I didn't recognize the "on ramp" to Fire Warden's at first. There were a few small branches on the trail knocked down by the wind, and the Spring sun was melting the snow in a few spots, making it mushy. Fire Warden's was also soft in sunny spots, and we switched to snowshoes for the remainder of the hike. I would strongly recommend using them to prevent postholes. Spent about 20 minutes at the sunny summit, which was remarkably free from wind. Entertained a few gray Jays. The summit cairn is nearly 100% covered by snow. Had a fast descent in snowshoes. Switched to bare-boots at the trailhead sign and bare-booted the rest of the return hike to the car, but did note a few slippery spots that almost took me down. Beautiful Spring sun. Very quiet day. Only saw two senior hikers and a dog on Fire Warden's, properly footed in snowshoes, and two other hikers in bare-boots at the summit, who mentioned post-holing up from Hale Brook. |
|
 | Name: |
bogboy16 |
|
 | E-Mail: |
onequack@duck.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-03 |
|
 | 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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