| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Clay, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cog Rail Trail, Westside, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Clay Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 15, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
$10 at the Cog. Staffed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None via this route, but the crossing near the base station was roaring. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Sign down (post+other sign still up) at the southern Gulfside/Clay Loop junction. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
None yet. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Snowshoes (or skis) a must.
Cog Rail Trail was initially bare, but there was enough snow for skinning along the treeline starting about 100 vertical feet up. Brief bare spot above Waumbek station and an area actively washing out below Jacob's Ladder. Opposite side of the track (north side) is essentially snow free until about 4,000 feet. Deep snow thereafter, already softening by mid-morning. Snowshoes went on there and stayed on up to about 5,200 feet. On the descent, karma hit some parasitic postholers - DEEP slush postholes into running water on every step for quite awhile. Minimal effort to get around with snowshoes.
West Side was messy for the short stretch with running water and some patches of snow. Gulfside also had some running water and some patches of snow, some of which were very deep. I would have put snowshoes on for the last one before the northern Clay Loop on the return trip because it looked like it was almost ready to posthole (and probably 3-4 feet deep). Opted to skip it and instead go over Clay, in part to avoid those areas. Generally speaking I'd say the vast majority this stretch of Gulfside is snow free. Upper Jewell looked miserable with most of the scrub heavily filled in still.
A few minor snow patches above the col to Jefferson, as well as some areas of standing/running water.
Clay Loop had a couple of snowfields which were stable. Skiers dropping in between the bumps. Looks like a lot more snow heading toward Monroe than toward Jefferson.
Beautiful warm spring day with temperatures hitting the low 70s. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/ |
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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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