| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Cog Rail Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 31, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ammo lot was over half full at 9am. Closer to 75% in the afternoon. The cog hiker lot was jam packed in the afternoon. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One unfrozen spot a few minutes from the Ammo lot. Gem pool had a solid bridge across it, and everything else was frozen. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails are in great shape |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One dog in doggles. It was awesome. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The trails are in really great shape, and half of New England was out to enjoy them.
Snowshoes went on in the Ammo lot and stayed on until Lake of Clouds hut. Those snowshoes made the climb super fast, and I could almost hear the regrets of barebooters and spikers knee deep in powder, slipping with each step as I zipped past them, gliding along the soft path. Bring snowshoes for Ammo - you won't regret it.
Everything changed at Lake of Clouds. Lots of the snow is blown off, so it's a solid, hard pack that was perfect for microspikes. Some wore full on crampons, but they were a luxury, not a need. The climb up to Monroe is very packed, and so is most of the climb to Washington.
Spikes were great for the top of the cog, but around 4700 feet the drifts start to pick up, so I wore snowshoes from there to the lot.
An absolutely gorgeous day to be on top of New England. |
|
 | Name: |
Chad |
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 | E-Mail: |
chadwik66@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-01-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.instagram.com/p/DUMFzLUER5N/ |
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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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