Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Hibbard Mountain, Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
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| Trails: |
Old Mast Road, Wonalancet Range Trail, Shortcut, Walden Trail, Square Ledge Trail, East Loop, Dicey's Mill Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 24, 2011 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
plenty of parking at Ferncroft - mine was the first car in the lot. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
no issues. Only real crossing was on Dicey's Mill - could have crossed on rocks but I walked the gang plank (downed birch). |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several major blowdowns in the wilderness trails. I think there might be a sign missing at the outlook near Mt Hibbard - I thought the trail was the outlook - I went around and finally found the actual trail. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
would be OK for dogs except for the steeps up Walden Trail - there are some pretty dicey icy knee-ups!!!! |
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| Bugs: |
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| Lost and Found: |
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| Comments: |
Enjoyed the loop. Took longer than anticipated due to poor footing/4-5" new powdery snow over glare ice.
Put on the microspikes once at wilderness boundary on Wonalancet Range Trail. I took the Mt Hibbard cutoff up, then looped down over Mt Wonalancet and had a little difficulty with the ice sheets especially coming off the highpoint of Mt Wonalancet into the ice field. Wasn't sure where the trail went so I hugged the shrubs to the left of the open area (with views). Then, coming off the junction onto the Walden Trail down into the col to Passaconaway I found the microspikes completely unmatched for the ice flows - switched to full crampons after several BIG bouncing falls. Not sure how you could do Walden Trail and the summit of Passaconaway without full crampons. I carried snowshoes but the show depth was never enough. From the summit of P-way I barebooted down Dicey's Mill trail with no problems. Never saw ANY footprints or anyone at all all day until I saw some snowshoe prints below Dicey's Mill's millsite. Awesome day to get out!!!! Challenging day for footing - crampons seem to hit bare rocks under the snow at times and ankles are pretty beat up!!!! But, the ice is VERY serious under the fluffy snow!!!!
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| Name: |
Becca Munroe |
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| E-Mail: |
beccahiker@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-12-24 |
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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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