| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Zealand Road, Hale Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 25, 2017 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Park at large lot on the north side of route 302 east of the Zealand Road junction. Zealand Road closed. Parking area used by hikers, skiers, and snowmobilers. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Both crossings of Hale Brook had snow/ice bridges |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were a couple of trees down on the Hale Brook Trail but they presented no difficulties |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
OK for dogs |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
There was enough loose snow over the packed base to make snowshoes the preferable footwear. I started off wearing microspikes but switched to snowshoes while on Zealand Road to get better traction. A group of about a half dozen skiers preceded me on the Hale Brook Trail so no need to break trail. On descent I experienced some areas with the snow disrupted from the skiers snow plowing or side stepping down steeper areas to keep control. The snowshoes had no problems in these areas. The most difficult section was the side hill stretch between the Hale Brook crossings where care had to be taken to avoid slipping on the downhill side. No views today due to clouds.
The Firewarden's Trail was broken out but the Lend-a-Hand trail was unbroken. There were tracks going up the Sugarloaf Trail.
There were snowmobiles on the designated trails which coincide with the hiking routes on short sections of Zealand Road. A small bulldozer was to the side of Zealand Road just south of the Sugarloaf bridge. |
|
 | Name: |
WAUMBEK |
|
 | E-Mail: |
WAUMBEK at Roadrunner dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2017-03-25 |
|
 | 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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