| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Eastman Ledges, Mt. Cube, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Kodak Trail, Hexacuba Spur, Mt. Cube Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, January 28, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
There is really no parking at Kodak Trailhead. I was dropped off. Probably better to park in Quinttown a mile down the road. Large plowed pull off on Rt. 25A. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All snow bridged |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
4-5 blowdowns on Kodak Trail, a couple on Mt. Cube Trail |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Kodak Trail was unbroken, with a crust that might hurt dogs’ legs. Rest of route would be fine for mountain dogs. |
|
 | Bugs: |
I was not the only snowflea on the trails today. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Mt. Cube traverse via the AT. Snowshoes car to car.
First half mile of Kodak Trail (the non AT part) is a groomed snowmobile trail. From this point to the summit of Cube had not been traveled in some time. Progress was slow, as anticipated. There was a crust to break through, with sinkage underneath anywhere from 4-12 inches. I was solo, going a blistering 1 mph, and getting a nice workout.
Hexacuba Shelter had not been visited since late autumn per the register. The new, improved Penta Privy is very nice, but the door couldn’t be nudged due to ice and snow blocking it. Coyote tracks near the shelter!
The next 1.6 mile to Cube’s summit was still slow, but I was entertained by a preponderance of moose poop, tracks, and bedding areas. Also by some nice ledgy sections well below the summit with stunning views of Smarts and surrounding hills and valleys. Once in awhile the snow got powdery but quickly returned to crusty caca. Route finding was tricky here and there in the hardwoods, but needed GPS only a couple of times.
Upon reaching the summit, Mt. Cube Trail was all broken out down to 25A: Easy Street! :) Met 3 hikers and that was it for the day. |
|
 | Name: |
Snowflea |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-28 |
|
 | 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. |
|
