Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Jefferson (attempt), NH |
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| Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, snowfields, Crawford Path, Westside Trail, Gulfside, Jewell Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 16, 2018 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
can park at the nicely plowed cog railway station for $10 per person; or for much less at the parking lot further down the road and walk 0.7 miles longer. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
no issue |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
no issue |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
none on trail |
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| Bugs: |
none |
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| Lost and Found: |
An LL Bean metal water container was seen on the bushwhack trail up Monroe. |
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| Comments: |
Ammo Ravine, 'bushwack' up Monroe, Crawford Path, Westside, Gulfside, Jewell
Nice day overall. However, windier up high than forecast at about 40mph, though highly variable depending on location. About 25°F.
Snowshoes with heel lifts are recommended for the ascents.
Need full winter gear of course.
My targets were Monroe and Jefferson. After Monroe, I took the Gulfside trail off Crawford, and that was a mistake. Although the cairns could be followed pretty well, the trail was iced/blown over, and because it runs tangential to the grade of the mountain, I experienced a lot of slipping/twisting sideways leading to unusual twisting/rubbing of my feet in my boots on the showshoes. That led to development of several blisters on each foot. Because of that phenomenon, relatively high wind, and limited daylight, I deferred attempting Jefferson, and went down Jewell.
The Ammo Ravine trail is well-packed though it diverges from the usual trail, running further north as one approaches the hut.
The trail up Monroe is a 'bushwhack' going more or less straight up from LC hut.
The Jewell Trail is well-packed, and easy to follow below tree line; above tree line it is not so easy though there are some obvious cairns, and the trail signpost with the Gulfside is still above snow line, as are many other trail signs. |
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| Name: |
David Kwiatkowski |
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| E-Mail: |
dk@rics.bwh.harvard.edu |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-16 |
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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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