| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Tom, Mt. Field, Mt. Willey, Mt. Avalon, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Avalon Trail, A-Z Trail, Mt. Tom Spur, Willey Range Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, January 3, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking at the Highland Center is plowed, though the lot is somewhat icy. I don't recommend making the turn into the lot from 302 "at speed" unless you're paid up on your automobile insurance. :D |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Water crossings were unremarkable. Dealt swiftly with a long step or a jump. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails were, by and large, in good shape. A small number of easily managed blow-downs -- they might be a problem when there's more snow on the trail, but at the moment, simple ducking is sufficient.
Right now, the powder isn't at all consolidated in the steeper parts, so expect some impromptu skiing, or even glissading. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sadly, no pups today, though even a corgi would have had a wonderful time at the lower elevations. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Some stuff on the trailhead signboard. |
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 | Comments: |
I didn't think Avalon would be such a tough peak, but coming as it did at the end of the day, and the fact that the little whipper has a very steep approach (and its side trail to the summit is 100 yards of "pure up") my legs were cooked by the time I got back to the car. The various gurus blew the weather forecast (as happens) and so instead of the anticipated "partly sunny/cloudy" that I was expecting in the afternoon, I hiked "inside a ping-pong ball" for the entire trip. No matter, because there is plenty to see at ground level. The trail was largely broken out very nicely, except I got the rare pleasure of breaking out the trail up to Mt Tom through some very light and fluffy powder that never got deeper than a foot. Looking out at a trail that had yet to be trodden on was a treat.
Pictures and video of the trip will be on my blog before long. Stay tuned. |
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 | Name: |
Protean Wanderer |
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 | E-Mail: |
hiker@proteanwanderer.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-01-03 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.proteanwanderer.com/ |
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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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