| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Martha, Owlshead, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Cherry Mountain Trail, Martha's Mile, Owls Head Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, October 28, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Our original plan was to begin the hike at the eastern Cherry Mountain trailhead, but we couldn't make it there. The gate was open, but our vehicle didn't have snow tires or AWD. An SUV or pickup with AWD and/or snow tires could most likely have made it to the eastern trailhead. No issues with either of the trailheads that we did use. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The only one was on Owls Head Trail, and it was easy. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few minor blowdowns, not really an issue. Owls Head Trail took effort to follow in places. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
If they're comfortable with a foot of unpacked snow on fairly steep slopes, they wouldn't have had much of an issue. |
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 | Bugs: |
Nada. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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 | Comments: |
After changing our plans at the last minute due to our inability to reach the eastern trailhead for Cherry Mountain Trail, we started up the trail at the western trailhead. No snow at the start, but it shifted fairly quickly to small patches, then an inch everywhere, and then 6 inches everywhere (which is what it was at the base of the steep pitch up to the ridge). The trail was completely unbroken. We put our spikes on there, and proceeded up to the ridge without incident. The snowmobile trail at the top of the ridge was also completely unbroken, and I put on snowshoes (my hiking partners kept their spikes on). At the summit of Martha there was sadly no view due to the clouds. Martha's Mile was fine - I was glad that I had my snowshoes, since they definitely made things easier for me on the descent since there was a solid foot of snow on the ridge. The steep section just below the viewpoint on Owls Head was tricky (and had an ice bulge - the only one we saw on the hike) but doable. No views from Owls Head either for the same reason. The descent from Owls Head started off very steep (and was, again, unbroken), so we took our time and slid somewhat. We took our snowshoes/spikes off about halfway down, when the constant snow cover was gone, and ultimately the snow retreated to just small patches and then none at all. Some of the sections on the lower, flat part of the trail were very wet and muddy, and had to be followed carefully. The yellow blazes on Owls Head Trail could be updated.
Despite the dreary, wet day and lack of views, it was still a great hike. Snowshoes in October - who'da thunk it? |
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 | Name: |
GN |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-10-28 |
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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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