| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Flume, Mt. Liberty, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bike path, Liberty Spring Trail, Flume Slide Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, December 22, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at basin parking, bike paths in valley allow Franconia Ridge Loop without hitchhiking. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The water crossings low on flume slide are a bit sketchy but take your time and follow others tracks, the safest crossing may not be where the trail crosses. Be smart and use poles. Many places deeper than boots. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
trails in good shape. Biggest challenge is between Liberty and little haystack, i broke this trail in snowshoes but drift/snow depth means you are in the pine tree canopies, not below them. This makes for very tough going at times. Not a maintenance issue really so remove if you wish. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I saw a couple with a small sheepdog on ridgeline between lincoln and lafayette yesterday PM. It was -30F windchill or below, crampons required for ice, massive wind gusts. The animal looked scared and freezing (shaking, tail between legs). I sure felt bad for the little dog. I was pretty gassed and getting cold, I asked if it was ok or needed help but they thought was fine. |
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 | Bugs: |
no bugs. cold. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
I found a single black microspike at the top of Flume Slide where it reaches the ridgeline in the snow. I packed it out. If it is yours and you want it email me and I'll send it to you. |
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 | Comments: |
Flume slide is snow-over-ice. Suggest crampon and either ice axe or poles. Post holes allow progress without but it is dicey.
I broke trail in snowshoes between Liberty and little haystack, drifts are very deep in the trees. The going is very hard due to conifer canopies obstructing trail (its usually a tunnel, but when the snow is several feet deep it is a crawlspace).
Above treeline is ice and rock, not a ton of snow due to wind. Crampons essential.
Two folks decided to ride small sleds down the old bridle path below greenleaf. This smoothed/compacted the snow on steep parts, left plastic trash as the sleds broke on rocks, and made crampons required for areas where boots are usually fine.
Overall, a beautiful day on the ridge! More snow coming today. |
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 | Name: |
Ben |
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 | E-Mail: |
potter.benjamin@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-23 |
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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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