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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Little Haystack Mountain, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Truman, Mt. Lafayette, NH
Trails
Trails: Falling Waters Trail, Shining Rock Spur, Franconia Ridge Trail, Greenleaf Trail, Old Bridle Path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, May 14, 2020
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Two other cars when I started at 6:50 AM, a couple dozen more when I finished shortly before noon. Surprised it wasn't busier than that with the nice weather forecast. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Snow/Ice - Small Patches 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All easily rock hopped, but with the incoming rain and warm temps, crossings could get difficult from the runoff. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: No major issues 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: A few buzzing about toward the end of the hike, when there was little to no snow and the temps were mild. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: The only section of trail that was 100% snow and ice free was the 0.2 mi part from the trailhead to the split. From there, Falling Waters Trail was roughly a 60/40 mix of bare ground and patchy spring snow to the last brook crossing. Almost immediately past the crossing, the trail had full snow coverage, as did the rest of the mountain, and stayed that way all the way to Little Haystack. Depths ranged from a half-foot or so near the brook crossing to as much as 2-4 feet above 4,000 feet, and for all I know it could've been deeper than that in some areas. Shining Rock spur also had snow in the 2-4 ft. range.

The ridge from Haystack to Lafayette was mostly a mix of frozen snow, packed powder, and drifts, as was the Greenleaf Trail from the summit of Lafayette to the Greenleaf Hut. (Beyond the hut, the Greenleaf Trail looked untouched, and at this point, I wouldn't even waste your breath trying to break it out- it's gonna all melt soon anyway, so might as well wait until it's clear.)

Old Bridle Path had far less snow than Falling Waters, particularly going down Agony Ridge, which gets a good amount of direct sunlight due to its southerly position. Going down was still tricky due to the rapidly rising temperature, which made the snow on the trail really slick and sticky in spots. Nothing me and my spikes couldn't handle, though.

With the incoming rain and mild weekend temps, conditions on the 'Ridge could change drastically, so be prepared for sloppy snow conditions, high water at brook crossings, and glare ice due to thaw/freeze cycles. Welcome to May in the White Mountains...  
Name
Name: Spencer 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2020-05-14 
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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