| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Mansfield (The Chin) (attempt), VT |
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 | Trails: |
Laura Cowles Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 15, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is still access to the gate (with the statue of the hiker on it), however, we prefer parking lower down at the winter parking lot because the road may be used by skiers. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Cairns on Sunset Ridge Trail are hard to follow as they are lower to the ground. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A challenging hike: We were first to be on Laura Cowles but trail was easy to follow. About an inch of new, light, fluffy snow. Things got challenging the last half and a bit up the trail with light snow-covered icy areas, quite a bit of sheer blue ice. Some steep bits that were hard to get up without needing to hold onto tree branches and stumps (sorry trees, and thank goodness for spike traction). Last bit up LC on exposed rock to the sign at top of trail was strenuous with the ice.
We decided not to continue on to the 'Chin' as we'd had our full workout on LC Trail and the Sunset Ridge trail was obscured by drifts. Visibility was zero. Temps seemed mild - it is nice to be able to change out gloves without hands freezing.
Sunset Ridge was also a bit of a challenge. Couple of high snow drifts, lots of ice on rocks and slippery even with spikes. When trying to avoid the ice by stepping into a snow patch, we had to be cautious not to land a foot and leg between rocks; so, a bit of an ankle twister at times. Cairns were hard to see (they've been reduced in size, even in the summer when a lot of the rocks were used to mark/border the trail). Windy with some moderate gusts. No visibility until much lower down. Flo had to do some controlled butt slides lower down the trail, and Joe had a couple of uncontrolled bottom slides. Flo was glad to get off the Ridge. Rest of the trail was more manageable.
Felt very euphoric stepping onto the CCC road and walking Eagle's Cut Trail and back to the car. Wonderful hike and a superb day to be out. |
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 | Name: |
Flo and Joe |
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 | E-Mail: |
aloe@myfairpoint.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-01-15 |
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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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