| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monadnock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
White Dot Trail, White Cross Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 7, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Road is paved, plowed, and as of the afternoon, dry. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A couple minor seasonal crossings on White Cross were easy. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns, easy to find the trail (though that may be because it was packed out for us). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not allowed in Monadnock State Park. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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 | Comments: |
A mix of conditions. The lower part of White Dot (below Cascade Link) was one long stretch of slush, especially in the afternoon. Snowshoes or spikes wouldn't have helped at all. Above Cascade Link, White Dot was a little firmer but there were still lots of visible rocks. Despite the steepness, we barebooted that section (it was totally packed out, and there wasn't really enough snow on the trail to worry about postholing). Spikes might have helped on that section; snowshoes would probably have just gotten in the way. Above the first view (which is just above the '1/2 Way' sign), the trail was substantially firmer, with much less slush. We managed to bareboot that part as well, but spikes would definitely have been very useful, since many of the rock ledges are still covered in snow, and the trail is slippery. We put on spikes at the upper junction of White Dot and White Cross. Beyond there, most of the open rock slabs are covered in snow, and their steepness makes spikes definitely necessary. That section was also treacherous to descend because some parts were a mix of rock and snow. The wind was on and off at the summit. We kept our spikes on for the descent of White Cross, for the added traction, and I definitely think that was a smart move. The spikes stayed on until most of the way down White Cross, at which point there was considerable bare rocks and water flowing down the trail.
The weather was amazing - not too cold, and the clouds were well above us, so there were incredible views. What a great day! |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-04-07 |
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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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