| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Stratton Mountain, VT |
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 | Trails: |
Ski trails, Stratton Side Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 13, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Sun Bowl parking lot at Stratton. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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|
 | Comments: |
Stratton has a very friendly uphill travel policy, which is refreshing compared to the draconian policies on some public land ski areas in New Hampshire. There are three recommended routes, and they ask you to stay on skier's left of the trails.
I started at the Sun Bowl base around opening and snowshoed the Lower Kidderbrook ski trail, which was groomed and fairly gradual.
The Upper Kidderbrook ski trail has not yet opened, so it was about 4-6" of drifted natural powder. I found snowshoes to be useful, especially on the steeper portion.
From the top of Kidderbrook, I passed by the top of the open ski trails, then ducked onto the hiking trail (sort of hard to find if you don't know where to look, but it's just beyond the gondola terminal). There were also some divergent bathroom paths booted out. Departing from the ski area, there was decreasing evidence of use on the trail. Generally about 6" of powder with the winds quickly obliterating my tracks. Faint signs of traffic coming up from the south and departing to the west on the summit.
I only went up the first two flights of stairs on the fire tower due to the winds and lack of views; the steps were snow covered, but no ice.
According to my phone, this route was 2.9 miles one way. |
|
 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-02-13 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos |
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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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