| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bike path, herd path, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, December 22, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the Basin. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Spring Snow |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Largest one a little tricky (ice bridge is junk at this point), but doable. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Cut out a blowdown between the peaks. One stepover and one duck under on Liberty Spring Trail. Franconia Ridge Trail between the peaks really needs brushing. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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|
 | Lost and Found: |
Found a multi tool. Please describe where you lost it and what brand. |
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|
 | Comments: |
Bike path had black ice on it - tricky in the morning, but barebootable in the afternoon without much issue. Took herd path from there to Liberty Spring Trail - damp, but generally snow free.
Liberty Spring Trail was bootable up to the water crossings with a few patches of breakable or blue ice.
Once the steeps started after the water crossings, blue ice increased in frequency and eventually covered the entire footbed. Soft enough for Microspikes in today's weather below the forest protection zone below the campground. Above there, Microspikes were overmatched by the firm blue ice and steep pitches. Had to proceed with care without putting on crampons.
Franconia Ridge to Liberty had some tricky ice glazing on the ledges at treeline on either side of the peak.
Much smoother going between the peaks - more of a packed spring snow with some soft (in today's weather) blue ice. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21 at franklinwebpublishing dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-12-22 |
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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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