| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, Zealand Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail, Lend-A-Hand Trail, Twinway, Zealand Spur, Zealand Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 20, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Arrived at 6:30 this morning just as the state plow had finished plowing the lot, rather icey underneath |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All bridged and easy to cross |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns scattered along Lend-a-Hand and twinway but all easily avoidable |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Two of us set out today and wore snowshoes door to door. Snow depth varies greatly along the course of the hike, ranging from 3-12 inches of new snow with knee deep drifts common throughout. New Snow depth was rather minimal until about the last .5 mile of hale Brook when it became deeper throughout with occasional drifting. Lend-a-Hand had a good trench that was easy to follow throughout, this trail required a little more effort breaking out as new snow depth was consistently 4-8 inches with significant drifting in some spots. Once we reached the intersection with twinway we found ourselves following two sets of tracks (spikes only no snowshoes). Snowshoes was definently the best option as new snow started shallow but quickly became a consistently 4-6 inches of new snow. We ran into the group just below zeacliff, I guess they had a snowshoe malfunction and bailed after zeacliff which was probably for the best as after zeacliff is when the fun really started. Right after the intersection the whole open area had been severely drifted with snow easily knee deep until we arrived back in the tree line. From the tree line to the summit was a mix of knee deep drifting and 6-8 inches of new snow along with lots of bent of trees covered in snow. By the time we summited and turned around the wind had begun to blow in a lot of our tracks already. From zeacliff back to the car was heads down and keep walking. Snowshoes staying on the whole way. If you head out on these trails snowshoes is a must. The wind remained whipping the whole day and I’m sure the drifts will build right back up covering the trail. Only saw the group of two the whole day. |
|
 | Name: |
George & Gemma |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-01-20 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
