Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, NH |
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| Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop |
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| Date of Hike: |
Friday, March 23, 2012 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
USFS lot still gated. Hiker lot at Marshfield pretty solid with lots of room. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable) |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
Open mostly but just rock hops that are mostly above water level, a couple just below. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Short lowest section is soft shallow mud and stone, but no running water. No blowdowns. Trail in upper sections not marked so there is braiding of paths. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Pretty easy day for Pepper. On the hike up there was extensive ice on the trail, or in ice bulges, with slopes, so I kept an eye on him. He's pretty experienced, chose his routes carefully, and had no problems. On the way down it was a piece of cake; he was the one keeping an eye on me. I would not bring an inexperienced dog on this trail in conditions like today. |
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| Bugs: |
None |
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| Lost and Found: |
None. There were some marked plastic bags by the trail in one place that apparently are part of some water study. |
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| Comments: |
Started late enough for the Hillsound spikes to bite into ice well, but got down before the monorail had softened too much to posthole, or the icy steeps had surface slushed so much the spikes would tend to slide on it. Carried snowshoes but didn't use them, although if we had gone on to Washington I expected they would be needed.
The winds at the hut and above were tolerable but fairly strong and even chilling despite the mild temps. Wore a synthetic T up to near treeline, then put on gloves, two more layers and a balaclava for the peak. I measured steady winds 25-35 with gusts to 40 in a slightly sheltered section at Monroe; they were stronger going back to the hut, so we skipped going to Washington where I expected higher winds although it made for a shot hike. We met a couple as we were going down who were going to do the standard Ammo to Jewell loop having been up there a couple of days prior. They said they were amazed at how much snow had melted since then. It always surprises me that a trail that seems full of ice on the hike up and requires some focus, seems to have become almost corn snow or semi slush on the way down, but this happened today in a just 1-2 hours. Great way to skip work and share part of the day with the little mutt. |
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| Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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| E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-03-23 |
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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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