| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Greens Cliff, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sawyer River Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, December 24, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Enough room for 2 or 3 cars is plowed at the trailhead. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I knew that I could use the ski trail for a higher crossing of the Swift if needed, but decided to give the hiking trail a try first.
The crossing is not snow/ice bridged, though is not moving especially fast. I deemed I could not cross right on trail with dry feet. However, a very short distance up stream I found a reasonable, though not easy rockhop. Rocks were icy, so light traction was a must. Made it both ways with dry feet.
I thought I might cross the meadow brook and begin bushwhacking up the southwest ridge. Ultimately, it was deep and I didn't note any good crossing spots, so I followed the trail to the snowmobile bridge and crossed there. This forced me to cross a marsh at the start of the bushwhack, which I did on frozen beaver dams.
The crossings were the hardest part of this hike, though far from being a deal breaker. |
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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: |
Route: after crossing the marsh near the snowmobile bridge on Sawyer River Tr., I was set up to run up the peak from the west. I bushwhacked straight up the west slope and west ridge near the summit. This route could be hard without firm snow, as it crosses some swamp/marsh. However, it is very favorable to work towards the west ridge of the cone, as it made for much easier going than the southwest ridge.
Woods: mainly open/no complaints. I was pleasantly surprised as the one other time I did this peak I hit thick woods. The west ridge seems to be far better than the SW ridge in terms of more open woods and no cliffs.
Snow: Crusty and mainly supportive. I used snowshoes for all but the Swift crossing, which required light traction. In some places, it was hard to retrace my steps due to the firmness of the snow.
Two highpoints are recognized. The further northeast one seems to correspond better with USGS spot and is more officially recognized. Still makes sense to visit both. They are close together and both have nearby views.
On this hike I finished hiking the NH 200 highest in the winter. I was really close at the end of last season, but the clock ran out; good to wrap it up early this winter. |
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 | Name: |
zporterColdRiverCampCook |
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 | E-Mail: |
zap88@tds.net |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-24 |
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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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