| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Cube (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Cube Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 23, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for six or eight cars on the southern shoulder of Highway 25A (the trailhead side). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Well bridged with snow. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There's one large branch across the trail about 3/4's a mile up from the trailhead. We broke off some interfering branches (I had forgotten my handsaw at home), and now it's passable. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
This is, normally, an excellent hike for dogs. Today, in the stretch where we broke trail, all three dogs had a tough time with postholing, especially Owen and Josie, whose long, slender hound legs punched deeply into the heavy snow. Note: There's no running water on the route at present, so carry some extra. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Chris lost a basket from one of her poles somewhere along the way. |
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 | Comments: |
The Mt. Cube Trail was nicely broken out to the crossing of the main branch of Brackett Brook. After that, someone had barebooted for about a quarter mile before turning back, and after the barebooter's tracks ended we broke trail in crusty, heavy, deep snow. We were going along fine but certainly getting a good cardio workout. However, the dogs were having a terrible time, and about a mile below where the Mt. Cube Trail crests on Cube's ridgetop they were clearly exhausted from constant postholing, especially the hounds Owen and Josie. But even Polly, who has huge Great Pyr paws, postholed. We decided to turn back rather than push the dogs into super-exhaustion just to reach the top.
On the way down we met a couple coming up in Microspikes. They said they intended to go all the way, but my guess is that they found the postholing after Brackett Brook to be tiresome and likely turned back. But I don't know for sure.
Though we didn't summit it was still a beautiful day on the trail, with warm spring-like temperatures, no wind, patches of blue sky, some moments of wonderful sunshine, and great company. Thank you, Chris, for a very enjoyable Sunday morning. |
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 | Name: |
The Feathered Hat |
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 | E-Mail: |
stevebjerklie at yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-02-23 |
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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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