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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, NH
Trails
Trails: Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop, Webster Cliff Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, December 22, 2019
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Plenty of parking @ Mt. Clinton Road lot. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: No issues. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Trails are in good shape. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Didn't see any. 
Bugs
Bugs: Didn't see any. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing. 
 
Comments
Comments: From the car I wore spikes to Webster Cliff junction without issue: trails are well packed to this point so they were fine. I decided to continue wearing them to Ike but was ready to make the switch to snowshoes if needed - but the trail was well packed (thank you to those who tracked it out yesterday) and the snow was supportive enough that spikes worked fine all the way to the top. HOWEVER, in the hour or so that passed on my return trip late morning the snow became increasingly soft on lower half of Eisenhower Loop and Crawford Path to Webster Cliff junction: still supportive enough but just a lot of extra effort with spikes - any 'light traction' would have been inefficient. I ended up not stopping to put on the shoes since I was relatively close to Webster Cliff junction again BUT shoes were probably a more appropriate choice. I didn't posthole at all but did exert a more effort than necessary. Webster Cliff Trail to Pierce's summit was well packed and fine for spikes. Decent of Crawford Path early afternoon was also fine for spikes BUT that trail was getting a little soft also. The bottom line: if I knew then what I know now and I started any later than I did (8 AM) snowshoes would have been on my feet for at least some of this trek, especially on return from Eisenhower.

Pierce seemed to be a busy place but I was joined by one other on Ike's summit and crossed paths with maybe 8-10 others making their ascent on my return - about half wearing snowshoes. Winds weren't horrible on top so I got to linger for a bit. Went up to Pierce for lunch and out of the wind. Clouds stayed high allowing for excellent views and pics. In all a nice way to start winter.  
Name
Name: HMJ 
E-Mail
E-Mail: trailsntrees(at)gmail(dot)com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2019-12-22 
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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