| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt Flume, Mt Liberty, Little Haystack, Mt Lincoln, Mt Truman, Mt Lafayette, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bike path, herd path, Liberty Spring Trail, Flume Slide Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path, bike path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Basin (northbound). I identify as a female but once again used the men's restroom since the women's was closed. Bathrooms at Old Bridle/Falling Waters are still closed as well. Happened to encounter a NHSP worker at the Basin. He said the bathrooms probably won't be pumped for another couple of weeks. I said "Can't the State put in port-a-potties?" He said "NO." Hah |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There are multiple brook crossings on lower FST. On one of them, a log rolled out from under me and my feet (in trailrunners) got soaked. Then I didn't need to worry about getting my feet wet for the rest of the day. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Surprisingly few blowdowns. Waterbars on FST could use a cleaning. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would take only a trail-hardened mountain dog up Flume Slide Trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
Not yet... |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The Basin-Liberty Spring Trail "bushwhack" is looking like a nice groomed trail these days. Lower Flume Slide Trail was blanketed with trout lilies and trillium. Just beautiful. Always struck by the juxtaposition of the very mellow first half of Flume Slide Trail compared to the steep, scrambly second half!
Very pleasantly surprised--shocked actually--to encounter just ONE ice bulge at about 3550'. It was easy to avoid. Never imagined I'd be able to climb the entire FST today without traction! It was easier than expected (but FST is never *easy*). Between Flume and Little Haystack there was some serious ice, more on the north-facing slopes of course. Wore spikes for much of this stretch, but there was a lot of on-off going on. (I dare say I am becoming quite speedy at this!)
Traction was not necessary above treeline--Little Haystack to Lafayette. Approaching Greenleaf Hut (open!), I put spikes back on for a couple of shaded spots in the trees, then again on OBP for maybe 0.1 mile. Then, yippee ki yi: NO MORE ICE! Pleasant 2-mile walk back to car on bike path, with a visit to the Basin. :) |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-05-11 |
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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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