| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Link, Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Cog Rail Trail, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Lowe's Path, Airline, Valley Way |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, February 6, 2026 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Dropped a car at Appalachia and parked at the Cog lot ($10 per person). Both lots are well plowed. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction, Traction, Ice Axe |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossings on Ammo are well snow bridged. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is one large blowdown on Valley Way. It's been delimbed a bit and is an easy step over. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Met a super friendly Aussi, having a blast and looking sharp in bright red boots and a sweet jacket. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Fantastic day to be up in the Alpine!
There was a a bit of fresh snow on the trails this morning. Ammo was a few boot tracks from hikers who started out before us, we elected to toss on our snowshoes from the start.
Some minor blue ice below the hut. It appears most are taking the typical winter route that puts you on the north side of the hut which we also took. There were a few faint track routes up Monroe (including skis); the easier (safer descending) would be the lower one that goes climbers right then doglegs up a more gradual grade.
Straight forward up over Washington, some breakable crust but no significant ice. We stayed in shoes but others in spikes and crampons were doing fine. Gulfside had some deeper powder near Jewell junction (Jewell was broken out well).
Jefferson snow field requires some caution. Any tracks from the past week have been filled in, there looked to be one set of boot prints that took the high route up to the ridge. We swapped out of our snowshoes so we could kick steps; Fudge went to K10s, but I had just Hillsounds. I deliberated going high but was concerned with the downclimb, so we took the standard route across. Comfort levels differ greatly by individual, some may cross without a second though, some will get sweaty palms just thinking about crossing, I tend to lean towards the latter. I typically carry an axe just for this section but I forgot to bring it today. Fudge is more comfortable so she took the lead and I just followed in her footsteps.
Over Adams and down was straight foward. Again, no ice issues, Valley way is a highway.
|
|
 | Name: |
Kyle L & E.T. Fudge |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kjlanctot g mail |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2026-02-06 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/17310495812 |
|
|
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. |
|
