| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Flat Mountain Pond, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Flat Mountain Pond Trail, Gleason Trail, Bennett Street Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 7, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Bennett Street is not plowed. Made it up in existing tire pack in Subaru Crosstrek. One Tesla parked at start of road. One truck with a couple of grouse hunters when we returned. Road walk would be 1/2 mile if the road is impassable. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easily hoppable or ice bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One easily avoidable blowdown that could be handled with folding saw going up towards New Guinea Pond intersection around 1300'. One duck under that will be a problem when snow is higher about half way between Bennett and flat mountain pond, also small enough for folding saw. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing |
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|
 | Comments: |
Mutha Rush’ya and I put snow shoes on almost immediately, even though only about 4" of powder, but trail is nice and flat and it made walking easier. We stayed on flat mountain pond trail all the way from parking lot for Red lining and avoiding crossings. Snow depth increased as we climbed, up to about 12" at upper Bennett intersection.
By the time we got to the upper intersection of Bennett, around 1900', our hip flexors were screaming and we decided to red line out to flat mountain pond instead of climbing sandwich Dome on Bennett , which we've already done. The socked in views and frigid weather helped with the decision. There was a single snowshoe track from the previous day that went up Bennett Street that we later saw cross flat mountain pond up toward sandwich Dome, so maybe it's broken all the way to summit?
After refreshing with some hot tomato soup, we continued on the relatively flat flat mountain pond trail for the 2.5 miles to the pond. There are a few minor water crossings that were either bridged or easily hoppable. The pond looks frozen over and snow covered, but we didn't dare this early in the season.
Snow was deeper around the pond with about 2' of unpacked powder and no evidence of humans. We saw most evidence of wildlife all day here. We took a 10 minute break, finished our soup and had some hot sweet tea in the shelter, contemplating life. On the return, a bunny had followed our snowshoe track about 1/2 mile from the pond, so at least someone is enjoying our work before it's gone.
On the way back, we took Gleason to Bennett Street. Gleason is fast and gentle with a minor crossing near the bottom but cuts off the two Bennett water crossings. I'd recommend it for both ascent and descent of sandwich from Bennett Street parking lot.
We saw some bare boot tracks for the last 1/2 mile back to car and met the two grouse hunters they belonged to. It was nice to see people and have a friendly conversation.
Saw Jose's bridge on the way out and contemplated where it goes, and if there's other access to the trail when the road's impassable.
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|
 | Name: |
Bougie Bob |
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 | E-Mail: |
rcorsaro@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-12-08 |
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 | Link: |
 https://strava.app.link/JdiZrcNO9Ob |
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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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