| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Cooley Hill, Cole Hill, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Blue Loop, Yellow Trail, Red Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 8, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for maybe a half-dozen vehicles at the trailhead at the end of Trumpet Round Rd. The roads leading to the trailhead are plowed and sanded, but they still have snow on them and they go up and down some steep hills, so take them slowly and carefully. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The only major crossing (near the beginning of Blue Loop) is bridged. However, there are a lot of wet areas, particularly on Blue Loop, some of which were frozen today but others of which were not. I imagine Blue Loop would be very wet and muddy in the spring. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A few large blowdowns on Yellow Trail between Cole Hill and Cooley Hill. One large one fell lengthwise onto the trail - there's a rough herd path around it. Signage is good. Blue Loop had significant ice in places along with some puddles, and would probably be a wet, muddy mess in the spring. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Shouldn't have any issues - saw a large group with four dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nada. |
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|
 | Comments: |
This was an enjoyable hike to some trails that are new for the 31st edition of the WMG. Snow conditions were a few inches of powder on top of generally non-icy ground. Due to these low snow depths, snowshoes are unnecessary, and even micro-spikes are not needed (though they should still be carried since there are a few icy sections). Following the trails was easy, and all trails in the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest that are described in the WMG now have bootprints. Grades were easy to moderate, with some switchbacks, and were never steep. The viewpoints toward the Cannon-Kinsman Range were excellent - the mountains were in the clear, and you can even see the Franconias rising above Cannon. The scenery was excellent, as the trees all had snow on the branches, and there was very little wind to blow it off - it was an excellent winter wonderland.
It was a fairly quiet day on the trails - saw just one other solo hiker and one group of maybe 8-10 people. |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-08 |
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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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