| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jefferson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Jewell Trail, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, January 19, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at hiker parking near Cog. Lot icey, as is access road past the condos. Only 3 cars (including ours) in lot when we left for hike. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Signs all rime coated and basically unreadable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Pretty easy day for a mighty tough little dog. We broke trail for him in the deep snow section and elsewhere he pretty much could go where he wanted on the windpacked snow without icing up. He doesn't mind the wind, enjoys the views, and really loves the treats and the attention he got on the drive in. He wore his sweater and had Vaseline applied to his paws. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
We used Hillsounds from the lot to the peak and down to treeline on Jewell, taking advantage of the crusty boot and/or snowshoe prints from a couple of days ago or more.
We put snowshoes on as we got into treeline on Jewell on the descent and used them until crossing the cog at the end. We would have put them on sooner but the gusty winds (I measured winds as high as the upper 30s on Jewell in the pm, and I felt stronger gusts later) delayed things for shelter. The middle section of Jewell (below to a ways above treeline) has deep enough loose snow and drifts to warrant using snowshoes, and below that there is still a section of uneven crusty snow deep enough to use them, at least on the downhills, to improve the trail. Up high though spikes are clearly the best option on windpacked snow.
We inadvertantly took a shortcut from Jewell to Gulfside. There was no wind until treeline, and then a breezy cold wind and some loose drifted snow put some adventure to the hike, and windshells, balaclavas, mittens and more on the human bods. Clay sheltered us from the wind a fair amount and it was at our backs, and we took a nice break just off the peak. Erica as usual was taking great picts despite the cold wind. Going back into the stronger wind wasn't bad as temps were a bit milder, the sun stronger, and Pepper led the way in his jaunty way. As soon as we got to treeline the wind was effectively gone and we had a delightful snowshoe out.
We saw no signs of anyone else today so we assume the other two hikers from the lot went up Ammo. This turned out to be a wonderful hike with great companions. Thanks so much Erica for inviting us along. And those turtles - soooo good. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-01-19 |
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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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