| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lincoln, Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Bridle Path, Greenleaf Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Liberty Spring Trail, Sno-mo trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, February 19, 2026 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Lafayette Place (SB side of 93) down by the tunnel...just don't block snowmobile trail. No problem for my Honda Fit. Falling Waters lot was 2/3 full at 8:40. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
A bunch of well behaved dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
None...but it's gotten to the point that I'm looking forward to not having to smash through spruce trees even if it means there are bugs... |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Banner day on Franconia Ridge. Almost no wind, warm temps, endless views. Climbed over the big ice pile in the lot (go up the right side) in order to access the tunnel under 93. Spikes from car to Little Haystack (you'll definitely want some form of traction past the hut). Snowshoes went on at Little Haystack to junction with Liberty Springs. Whoever broke this section out is a navigational wizard...lots of twists and turns. A couple of trail runners barebooted this section earlier in the week, and they left a few deep deep postholes and what I would call a few spruce crevasses...none of which impeded my progress but I do wish there was a video. You would need a light to see the bottom. You will 100% want snowshoes for this section if you go tomorrow, and 200% will want them after any snow we get. Switched back to microspikes for the rest of the hike...the Basin parking lot up to Liberty is well packed...not icy but probably want traction for the steep sections. Liberty out to Flume is noticeably less traveled, but still fine for just micros. Lots of low hanging spruce...picked up a few more scratches on my face.
Bare booted most of the snowmobile track from the Basin to Lafayette Place...only 2 snowmobiles the whole time...stepped off the groomed trail as they approached...don't do that...it is chest deep! |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2026-02-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/17456027303 |
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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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