| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Noon Peak, Jennings Peak, Sandwich Dome, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Sandwich Mountain Trail, Jennings Peak Spur, Drakes Brook Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 16, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot is plowed nicely - room for 8-10 vehicles. I was the first one in and maybe five other autos were there when I left mid-afternoon. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The two crossings of the Drakes Brook (low on SMT and DBT) were sketchy but I crossed both with lots of care and very light treading. I'm not real sure I'd try either one again under current conditions. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I sawed off about six limbs along the way and tossed/bent aside at least that many. I also liberated at a dozen or more saplings that were bent over and stuck in the snow - it seemed to help clear the trails. Much of this activity was along the brook on DBT. There are other larger projects out there: felled trees, larger bent trees and the like - however these are all easy step overs, step arounds or bend unders. As I write this I don't recall seeing a trail sign at the Smarts Brook Trail junction. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
The loop to Jennings Peak is well packed, supportive and free of postholes. The stretch from Jennings Peak to Sandwich Mountain is packed out but not quite as well - it is still supportive but not as much as the rest of the route. I wore spikes the entire day without issue or regret - I never even considered snowshoes so they were dead weight.
I didn't intend on going up to Sandwich Dome but I made good time to Jennings Peak - and it was pretty nice out - so why not? I'm glad I did as the snow pack on top was at least a couple of feet which was enough to get views over the trees. As a bonus I got there before the clouds rolled in. I had all three peaks to myself - another bonus...but then again I saw just six others on this route today.
FYI: there was a little recent looking activity from Bennett Street Trail and zero from Algonquin Trail. |
|
 | Name: |
HMJ |
|
 | E-Mail: |
trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-16 |
|
 | 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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