| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Boott Spur, Mt. Washington, Nelson Crag, Ball Crag, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Boott Spur Trail, Davis Path, Lawn Cutoff, Southside Trail, Crawford Path, Westside Trail, Gulfside, Nelson Crag Trail, Huntington Ravine Trail, Alpine Garden Trail, Old Jackson Road, Raymond Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, June 24, 2019 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There were many open spots at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Monday morning at 6:30am and 7:30pm. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The only crossings I recall were the three on Raymond Path. The first over Nelson Brook was a pretty straightforward rock hop. The next one over Vesper Falls was also a rock hop but was a bit sketchy. Not really due to high or fast flowing water, but if for some reason you fell, then down you go over a small waterfall with some pretty serious consequences. Not a big water crossing but please exercise care and avoid at high water. The last crossing over the brook front Raymond Cataract was perhaps the most difficult as a rock hop (partially submerged rocks). I’d avoid all these crossings if water is significantly higher than normal. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Not much I can recall in the way of blowdowns. Some small overhanging deadfall and branches on Nelson Crag Trail that should get taken care of as they could get you in the head real bad if you aren’t paying attention. A small handsaw could probably do the trick. The more obvious issue on Nelson Crag Trail was that parts of it were overgrown forcing you to “push through†a bit. Not awful but it’s getting bad. Luckily it doesn’t make it hard to follow (yet). Both these problems could be fixed by someone with a handsaw, clippers, and some extra time :)
I don’t recall any blaze on Nelson Crag Trail. Boot Spur and other than tails were blazed in yellow. Above treeline there is very little blaze; almost entirely marked by cairns. That said, all trails I was on today were easy to follow. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I don’t recall seeing any but if you dog can handle jumbled rock and harder trails with some scrambling I imagine they’d be okay. It doesn’t seem like there’s much water above treeline though. |
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 | Bugs: |
Better than I had anticipated. Very few in the early morning on Boot Spur Trail. You saw many flying insects but most weren’t the type to bother. If you stopped long enough a black fly or a mosquito or two might find you. Above treeline in the morning the wind was strong enough to keep the bugs away (I don’t have a wind gauge but the wind had to be steadily above 30mph probably more like 40...I don’t think bugs will bother you much if it’s more than 25-30mph winds). As anticipated, the wind died down in the afternoon and unfortunately this meant the black flies found you above treeline. I used bug spray but not a headnet. Below treeline in the afternoon/evening they were definitely worse than the morning but not awful. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Since the slew of trails above is no doubt confusing here is what I did (please understand I’m a redliner 🤣😂): Tuckerman Ravine Trail —> Boot Spur Trail —> out and back on Davis Path to Glen Boulder Trail to pick up that part of the trail I needed —> continuing in Davis Path north —> Lawn Cutoff —> Southside Trail —> Davis Path —> Westside Trail —> Gulfside —> Crawford Path —> summit of Washington —> Nelson Crag Trail —> our and back on Huntington Ravine Trail to auto road —> out and back on Alpine Garden Trail to Huntington Ravine Trail (top of headwall) Old Jackson Road —> Raymond Path —> Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Did a big loop over Washington yesterday with lots of little out and backs and a couple roundabout ways to get in some more redlines. I also got Washington in June now for my grid 🤗 This was about a 16mi hike with over 6300 ft of elevation gain. It took me 13 hours to complete and my back feels it today.
It was just cool enough and windy enough in the morning to make it a bit uncomfortable at times above treeline (I needed a fleece and rain jacket to break the wind) but it kept the bugs away! It warmed up a bit and the wind died down in the afternoon. The summit was in the clear and sunshine abounded. It was a terrific day :)
For redliners: the first three spur paths (viewpoint, brook, viewpoint) are signed on the Boot Spur Trail. After the sign you’re on your own for the 100 yard bushwhack to the brook though. I think I was mostly on what used to be a beaten path on the way back. A lot of large blowdowns would need to be cleared if this herd path were ever to be followable again. The last spur is unsigned but obvious (Harvard Rock when you break give treeline).
The trails were in pretty good shape. Not much in the way of blowdowns. Nelson Crag should be trimmed (see above). Things were relatively dry. In fact some portions of trail look parched (while others were extremely muddy...) above treeline. A bit of wet rock on Nelson Crag to be careful on. This trail is a bit tougher than Boot Spur but I also found it more attractive. Personally I was happy to be descending it but some may prefer the loop in the other direction. Raymond Path was the worst for mud but nothing too absurd.
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2019-06-25 |
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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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