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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Monroe, Mt. Jefferson (attempt), NH
Trails
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, snowfields, Crawford Path, Westside Trail, Gulfside, Jewell Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, December 16, 2018
Parking/Access Road Notes
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. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: no issue 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: no issue 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: none on trail 
Bugs
Bugs: none 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: An LL Bean metal water container was seen on the bushwhack trail up Monroe. 
 
Comments
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.  
Name
Name: David Kwiatkowski 
E-Mail
E-Mail: dk@rics.bwh.harvard.edu 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2018-12-16 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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