| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandwich Dome, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Road walk, Flat Mountain Pond Trail, Bennett Street Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 12, 2016 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The Bennett Street 'extension' to the trailhead proper looked both icy and soft with minor ruts in the morning. Since I have had some close calls with parking recently I parked near the bridge where the plowing ends. In the afternoon this part of the road was pretty soft and slushy making me think I made a good choice. There were two vehicles in the lot when I started and one when I finished. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The larger crossings on the lower section of the BST can be done but I had to go up or down stream a bit to find safe passage. Also note there are a handful of tributary crossings on the upper portion which have unstable snow on their banks and could be opportunities to twist an ankle. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
These trails are in excellent shape. In fact I met the BST trail adopter on my way out doing some prep work for a minor re-route. I thanked him and the WODC for their great work in this area. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Didn't see any. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Full on spring conditions here: spots of soft snow, ice and dry trail - in addition to the water crossing issues noted above. Some of the snow was at minimal depth - mostly at lower elevations - while it was knee high in stretches starting at 3.25 miles or so. I know this to be true as I postholed a few times up to the knees. The length of trail this goes on for was maybe a half mile and it is the only stretch where snowshoes might have been useful. Most of the time I didn't sink much at all and on a few other occasions just up to the calf. Ordinarily I would feel bad about chopping the trail up like this but the only tracks I saw once into the Wilderness Area were those of very large moose and I'm pretty sure they won't mind too much. I used a beater set of Microspikes all day and they served me well overall.
When I arrived at the summit there were two folks already there but they left shortly thereafter. I then had it to myself for 45 minutes when I decided to leave. Outside of those two hikers and the trail adopter I saw no one all day. Shining sun, a fantastic trail and near complete solitude made for a fine trek today. |
|
 | Name: |
HMJ |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2016-03-12 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
