| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Piper Mountain, Belknap Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Piper Mountain Trail, Orange Trail, White Trail, Green Trail, Carriage Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 21, 2015 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
3 spots plowed out at gate and room for another 8 plus cars to park on the side of the road, no issues for little cars |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Everything still solidly ice bridged on piper mountain trail, people haven't even been using the actual bridge this winter at the start of the trail and just walking right over the solid ice bridge |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
some snow fleas observed at the end of the day |
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 | Lost and Found: |
purple hat on the gate |
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 | Comments: |
The snowpack will remain a good while in the belknaps for a good while this spring as there is generally 1-2 feet still, with some spots at higher elevation with three feet.
Piper Mountain Trail was a solidly frozen over posthole disaster with constant 6 to 12 inch holes the entire way. Wore snowshoes, but trail was so hard packed you wouldn't add anymore if you barebooted today. Heard my favorite pack of coyotes howling in the valley to east but did not get the pleasure of being chased today--I think they are learning to mind their manners better now though their tracks were everywhere.
Orange trail and white trail going to Belknap Mountain were much better, but I ultimately had to take off my snowshoes because the new half inch of wet snow was clumping so bad that every two steps I had a six inch cement footstep stuck underneath them. It appears no one had come up the East Gilford Trail in a while.
Opted for green trail down, red trail looked like it had deep snowshoe and boot prints the whole way. Blue trail had a track, don't know how good it was. Green trail and Carriage Road have a solid base created by snowmobile traffic so that was better. Carriage road has no bare spots and seemed to have at least 18 solid inches plus, that won't melt anytime soon.
No one out, was it the snow flying? |
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 | Name: |
John in NH |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2015-03-21 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.jwelchphoto.com |
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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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