| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Champney Falls Trail, Piper Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 1, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Remember to pay at Champney TH! Forest service came by while we were out (left notes on dashes) and again while we were loading up cars. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
|
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns and a few leaners. Nothing bad. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Trail to Champney Falls is a well-packed highway. Things get a bit less consolidated between there and treeline, and snowshoes would be helpful. Spikes were a good choice above treeline as it’s mostly thin/firm snow and crusty snow without much on-trail drifting. We saw some snowshoe tracks right above treeline, but it looks like folks switched to spikes after evaluating conditions. There’s a lot of ice up top, but mostly off-trail (except for the top of the rock at the true summit). Axes were very helpful, and the last bit of the summit cone was borderline crampons territory. Best to bring all of the traction.
Trail to Middle Sister was broken out but not firm. You’ll definitely need snowshoes if you head that way. |
|
 | Name: |
cmehike |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-02-01 |
|
 | 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. |
|
