| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Pierce, Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail, Eisenhower Loop, Monroe Loop, Cog Rail Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 15, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I dropped my truck at the Cog hiker lot at 7:30 AM which was getting full by that time. Lots of skiers today. Plenty of parking at the Crawford Connector lot. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No crossings on our route, but note the ammo was raging this afternoon. If attempting to go Jewell connector it would not safe to cross. Alternatively you could do the short bushwhack after crossing the cog bridge and connect. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Great shape, no issues. Crawford Path up below Mizpah Cutoff had some recent saw work. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few that heading south from Monroe, they had a couple humans. |
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 | Bugs: |
Some but nothing bothered us. Saw a large spider. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
I lost a soft flask somewhere between Monroe and Washington and my friend lost a carabiner somewhere south of Monroe. Neither are of much value, but wouldn't mind having them back. |
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|
 | Comments: |
It's full on Spring with snow melting fast and mixed conditions, bring beater spikes (and beater snowshoes if you have them). From the Crawford Connector to treeline the monorail is starting. It was stable enough this morning but many postholes and it's degrading. Pierce summit is bare rock, from the WCT junction to Eisenhower Loop it was a mix of heavily postholed rotting monorail and sections of bare rock. Snowshoes could be helpful in a few short sections where the snow is knee deep at spots. After that we were in bare boots over Ike until Monroe.
The short steep section off Monroe is tricky and not a good idea to purposely sled down as the runout will end in rocks. Lots of people slipped here today including myself. Spikes don't do a whole lot in this snow, E.T. Fudge used an ice axe and careful steps to stay upright.
Crawford Path north of LOC there are some short snowfields but low grades and decent footing. Heading up Washington the trail was a minor river by midday. There is very little snow left up high.
Despite the lack of good snow there were a lot of Skies on the Cog Rail Trail, it was pretty greasy. Descending the Jacob's Ladder section was pretty sketchy.
Great T-Shirt hiking weather. Bring sunglasses and SPF50+. |
|
 | Name: |
Kyle L & E.T. Fudge |
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 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-15 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/8897018486 |
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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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