Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Smarts Mountain, NH |
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| Trails: |
Lambert Ridge Trail, Ranger Trail |
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| Date of Hike: |
Monday, January 30, 2023 |
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| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking lot is a hot mess, not plowed, I shimmied first car of the day into what others over the weekend had driven over to create 3 or so spots, the entrance looks like it may have been shoveled, not plowed. Like the other hiker who was behind me commented in their review - cars are parking on elevated frozen snow but not far into the lot is a MASSIVE pot hole down to flowing or standing water, drops perhaps 10-12" - do not get stuck in that as there is no cell service out there in Lyme/Dorchester. |
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| Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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| Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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| Water Crossing Notes: |
All hoppable with the aid of snow topped rocks, standing water is covered somewhat but flowing water is not yet bridged. |
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| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Minor trees down, easily avoidable. |
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| Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see anyone or anything all day. |
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| Bugs: |
A few crawling on the snow, not bothersome. |
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| Lost and Found: |
None. |
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| Comments: |
Looks like the few hikers who attempted over the weekend trashed the trail, post holing in both snowshoes and bareboots while the snow was soft, then came the freezing and these frozen steps will rock the ankles. Snowshoe post holes (and all other tracks) turned around shortly into the col between Lambert Ridge and Smarts climb. I "broke trail" the remainder of the day which was basically breaking through 3/4" crust into 4-5" of powder beneath. Not great out there but the snow/ice provided plenty of traction to ascend and run down from the final 0.5-mile summit dash. Took Rangers after much internal debate since that trail is typically obscenely wet underfoot - I was absolutely delighted with enough pristine snow to romp down and not get wet. Water is flowing on trail during the final mile of old Ranger jeep path back to the parking lot. Very enjoyable day over all. Cabin is unlocked and in good shape. Window is broken in the FT cabin and from underneath appears a boat-load of snow may have drifted in - that door was not coming open.
Wrote up a quick report of Smarts which is more history than a trail report on specific conditions from yesterday - will leave the link below for any interested. |
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| Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
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| E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-01-31 |
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| Link: |
https://semicircle-chinchilla-6wtd.squarespace.com/trail-reports/smarts-mtn-south-side |
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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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