| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Shaw, Black Snoot, Big Ball Mountain, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Mt. Shaw Trail, Black Snout Trail, High Ridge Trail, Big Ball Mountain Trail, Tate Mountain Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 17, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Enough room for 4 cars. Icy with ruts from logging vehicles. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One crossing was a bit sketchy (5/10 on sketch scale) |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I did the loop clockwise beginning with the Shaw Trail. I had heard it might be difficult to stay on the trail but the ascent was easy enough to follow. I made sure the brook was to my left until the blazes began (Red) about a mile into the hike. It was a priority to pay attention and not get too lost in my thoughts as it would have been easy to walk off trail.
Snowshoes went on when Shaw Trail met the Black Snout Trail. Decided to head up Shaw first and saw two snowmobilers on the High Ridge Trail. On my way back toward Black Snout summit, I followed the postholes from a big moose (and a few deer, too). Descended by Big Ball Mountain Trail (Blue) and it was pretty icy. A few floes required some tree grabbing. Not a lot of snow coverage on this side but the ground is still frozen and dry.
Italian Trail (not signed, red/green blazes) began after a sign pointing the way to route 171.
Used both snowshoes and spikes, I maybe could have gotten away with just spikes ... but the section between Shaw and Black Snout was a lot easier with the shoes.
Gorgeous day!!!! Beautiful views!!!! |
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 | Name: |
B-way |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-02-17 |
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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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