| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Big Ball Mountain, Black Snoot, Mt. Shaw (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Shaw Trail, Tate Mountain Trail, Banana Trail, Black Snout Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 17, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Mt. Shaw Trail trailhead off Route 171, near Sodom Road. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Small Patches, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Via this route, none. Mt. Shaw Trail water crossings look to be impassable at moment due to roaring brook. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few blowdowns on Banana Trail. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
There are a few small ice covered ponds along the way - Nick sank like an Oldsmobile Delmont 67 when he fell through the ice on one of them. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
In regard to special equipment - none needed for Big Ball Mountain, light traction for Black Snoot, snowshoes for Mt. Shaw. Mt. Shaw Trail to Tate Mountain Trail to Banana Trail generally bare ground, with a few short stretches of patchy snow up high in the shade. A few minor areas of mud. Otherwise, smooth sailing. From Big Ball to Black Snoot, a few patches of snow, as well as some blue ice bulges up high. We were able to bushwhack around the ice patches (too lazy to put on the spikes), but others may prefer putting on light traction. Mt. Shaw wasn't on the agenda, but we decided to head over that way anyway. Turned back pretty quickly, as the carriage roads still had 2-3 feet of spring snow that simply won't support barebooting. Snowshoes a must if attempting the high elevation carriage roads for now and for awhile. Didn't notice any wildflowers. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21 at franklinwebpublishing dot com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-04-17 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/NewHampshire/bigballmtn-2011-0417.php |
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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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