| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Webster, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Webster Cliff Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, March 19, 2017 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked off of Route 302 almost directly opposite trailhead. Lot well plowed, two cars when I arrived at 8:45, 6 or 7 when I left at 2:00. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
two minor crossings, both had boards across |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns, step overs or duck unders. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Did not see any dogs. Lower part of trail would be fine, still deep snow up along ridge. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
nothing |
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|
 | Comments: |
As noted above little snow for first 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile of the trail. I opted for snowshoes but they weren't necessary. Trail had been well packed by a few barebooters. No post holes because snow wasn't deep enough. I took off the snowshoes at about 3/4 of a mile and wore micro spikes, which were fine. Snow noticeably deeper about a mile from Route 302 but by stepping in footprints of prior hikers (or hiker at this point) I had no trouble. Above the first ledges there was deep snow and I put the snowshoes back on and was glad I did. Because so few people had been on the trail since the last storm there really weren't postholes, just the foot prints of whoever preceded me, but snowshoes still made it easier for me, maybe not for everyone. Some of the steep sections were hard in snowshoes but would have been equally hard in micro spikes or crampons. I needed to duck down in several sections of the trail because my head was at tree branch level. Nice views from the ledges and real nice view looking toward Mt. Washington from the summit. Bright sun had come out at around the first ledge on my way up. Coming down snowshoes were great along the ridge but after that in the steep sections of the trail it was almost as if I was skiing (that isn't good because I can't ski), so the snowshoes were substituted for micro spikes. The micro spikes were great and snow did not ball up. Whoever's footprints I was following took a shortcut (I think) and I found myself off the trail for a good 1/4 to 1/2 mile but by following the footprints I ended up back on the trail. Did not see anyone else on the trail. When I got back to the truck and was ready to head out I looked up and there was a large raven sitting about 20 feet from me. That was cool. |
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 | Name: |
Bruce |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2017-03-19 |
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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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