| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moriah, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Stony Brook Trail, Carter Moriah Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 28, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Medium sized dirt lot right off Rte 16. Was thawed and fairly muddy in the afternoon. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Three unbridged crossings. First, at 1.0 mile was fairly difficult with high water and a lot of thick but unstable ice on rocks.Had to stand as much as 6 in under water in one spot to cross. It looked like there may have been options further upstream. Second crossing at 2.3 miles was also tricky with water levels but easier. The third crossing was under a massive ice flow and tracks led downstream to base where crossing was relatively easy. Coming out water had already receded at least 6 inches and only the first crossing was awkward but was much easier. Also numerous little brooks and drainages, mostly along the road sections that were open to ice bridged with hollow and unstable ice. Very easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few easy step overs just past the water crossing at 1.0 mile and a few very high and easy duck unders. Ridge had no blowdowns. Stony Brook Trail is not well blazed, with the exception of the short section at the first river crossing which had fresh blazes. Most are old and very faded and several places had long stretches with none. While not an issue today, with the amount of open woods I could see where this trail might be tricky to follow in fresh snow or poor weather. Carter Moriah also has a lengthy ledge section which could be tricky to follow in fresh snow or poor weather. Has small rock cairns that would likely not be visible in heavy snow pack. Care in this area recommended. The road section between the first and second river crossings is also very eroded in spots. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Normally would be fine. Was a lot of ice today though and much of it in steep areas. Use your judgement. Didn't see any dogs today. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Was a red bandana about half way up Carter Moriah ledge section. Looked like a recent drop so I left on a tree branch at eye level in case anyone was looking for it on the way back. |
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 | Comments: |
Very icy conditions today. The first section along river before road grades was bulletproof black ice with a skim coat of powder and was crazy slippery, especially descending. The road sections between first and second river crossings were better but had a wide variety of ice conditions, frozen granular and even open areas with water and soft ground. (This section saw a lot of sun and saw some melting and now has a lot of bare ground). The climb from the second crossing to Carter Moriah was generally frozen granular with huge patches of flowing, rippling ice and scratched off areas. The big ice flows were somewhat soft though and weren't bad to walk on. Were a few short, tricky areas. The last 0.1 mile climb to CM had a lot of hard and slick ice and required caution. The Carter Moriah trail had a lot of difficult icy areas, particularly the first half mile or so climbing up all the ledges before swinging over to Moriah. I got forced into the trees to go around several and finally switched over to crampons (which I wore back down to second crossing). A lot of the thin ice on the steeper ledges was extremely hard and even with crampon I had to make sure I kicked my heel in well descending. Rest of way was fine. The "shoot" going up to Moriah summit was a massive ice flow. I went up it fine in crampons but went in the trees on the way down. The scrub is pretty thick around the ledge going left (facing down). I went to the right (facing down) and was able to leave my pack on. Moriah summit is completely bare rock. Dead calm almost all day despite the forecast for higher winds. Didn't see a single person until I was almost back at Stony Brook Trail descending. |
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 | Name: |
DayTrip |
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 | E-Mail: |
bblanchette0709@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-02-28 |
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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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