| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Kearsarge, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Kearsarge Mountain Road, Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 26, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Near the gate on Kearsarge Mountain Road in Wilmot. Note the no parking signs along the south side of the road. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Three minor stepover blowdowns on Barlow. Refreshed blazing on Winslow since my last visit. Thanks Cardigan Highlanders! |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure. I saw several today. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nothing. |
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|
 | Comments: |
The rain did a number on these trails, so there was no right choice of traction. The road walk was thin wet mush tracked out by snowmobiles; I wore spikes here but it could have easily been barebooted. At the trailhead I switched to snowshoes for the better traction and heel lifts, but went back to spikes again just below Halfway Rock, as the trail was just too bare with rocks and roots. I left the spikes on for the remainder of the hike.
Lower sections of the hiking trails are wet and slushy with thin snow cover and exposed ice. Higher up is more solid and the summit ledges are glazed over in a coating of ice, as is the fire tower and the scrub. Traction definitely needed on top. That said, I saw several folks with no traction at all for a reason I don't get, and it looked like a group of three had turned back around the Barlow Trail junction.
The summit cleared out nicely for views, but it was quite cold with the wind. |
|
 | Name: |
KenM |
|
 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-26 |
|
 | 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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