| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Square Ledge, Mt. Passaconaway, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Oliverian Brook Trail, Square Ledge Branch, Square Ledge Trail, Walden Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 23, 2020 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is room for about 5 cars in the plowed winter lot off the Kanc. We were car #3 at 10AM and last ones to leave at 4:30PM |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Skis |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The first crossing of Oliverian Brook (Oliverian Brook Trail) was mostly open and we crossed on a snow-covered, fallen tree, which was easier than anticipated. The second crossing (Square Ledge Branch Trail) was bridged; however, the bridge was rapidly deteriorating in the warm weather and large sections crumbled as we crossed. Both of these crossings will likely be far more difficult and possibly sketchy in the next 48 hours with the warm weather. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails were in great shape. I only recall one blowdown that was an easy walk-around on the Square Ledge Branch Trail |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Fin had a wonderful time. These trails are mostly suitable for a well-conditioned mountain dog. The only troublesome spot could be the very steep ascent of Square Ledge. The one "fairly difficult scramble" in the guidebook rejected her when she tried from a stand-still. It was no problem for her at all when she re-grouped and had a running start. Small dogs would need a lift here. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We skied the first 1.9 miles to the Passaconoway Cutoff interestion where we stashed our skis and boots(awesome skiing). There was a great snowshoe/ski track to this point. To our chagrin the oliverian Brook was unbroken south of here, as was the Square Ledge Branch Trail and the Square Branch Trail up until the point where Passaconaway Cutoff rejoined it. We were breaking trail for 3 miles in 8-12" of very wet, sticky powder which resulted in lots of heavy snowshoe clumping. Once we got above the Passaconaway Cutoff intersection the snowshoe track was once again excellent.
We were BEWILDERED that the Northern view spur was completely untouched for what appeared to be a very long time! Deep, deep powder. Steve Smith describes this view as "spectacular" and from my experience he does not throw that term around lightly. You can see THIRTY-EIGHT 4,000 footers from this amazing viewpoint, yet countless people have not bothered to make the minimal effort (200 foot descent over .3 miles) to gaze upon it. I am guessing that 70% are ignorant and the other 30% are lazy. Seriously, if you take the time and effort to summit Passaconaway and you purposefully skip this view, which is one of the finest I have seen in the Whites, then you are a waste of space who should re-evaluate your hiking priorities. |
|
 | Name: |
Spence and Dan and Fin the dog |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-02-23 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
