| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, abandoned Gorge Brook Slide Trail, Carriage Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 19, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
*USE RAVINE LODGE ROAD AT YOUR OWN RISK* The road should be CLOSED at this point for safety! Multipe cars in ditches. The entire road is a sheet of ice, and the angle parking is a literal skating rink. There is no way a 2wd/FWD car would make it to angle parking at present, and there where a few pickup trucks in the ditch on the side of the road stuck. Multiple cars parked on highway. A note regarding this will be sent to a DOC contact. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues on any crossings |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The tree mentioned in rocket21's report yesterday was removed by our trio |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Ruger would have no issues |
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 | Bugs: |
Aside from the pair, with a running vest between them, admittedly also carrying no headlamp, or spikes, and saying they werent from here but it was ok, ascending at 1400.. god speed. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A fine day in the forest was had. PLEASE REVIEW ROAD ACCESS NOTES. Use Ravine Lodge Road at your own peril. Or use another trailhead. I am not one to be an alarmist but its in extremely poor shape and it being open is a safety concern at this point. To reitterate, multipe cars off the road. We spiked from the car to the last sure water sign, the trail to here was a super highway and sparks where flying on the ascent. We opted today for something I have been wanting to do for a very long time... A winter ascent of the old Gorge Brook Slide Trail. (You will absolutely need snowshoes if you attempt this). No information will be provided on access to this, either. We found exceptional snow atleast to the top out, along a staggering 55% average gradient on the top section to the trigger point (Land surveyor here, I dumped my track into AutoCAD and made a profile on it haha, I am sure of the number). The last five feet of the transition from slide to coniferous was above my waist breaking. We landed on the Carriage Road at about 4250, and from here it was again complete super highway back to the car. Not too many folks out, quiet a few skiers earning their turn on the carriage road. Warm, enough wind to keep you honest up top. Also what was exceptional today was the amount of ice up high allowed us to walk and not disturb the alpine vegetation to the old "Summit House" (aka Prospect House, Tip-Top House) foundation just off the south side of the summit cone of Moose. Super cool! I stood on the front step! First built in 1860, it saw multple fires and was lastly rebuilt c.1901, of which the foundation is likely from that vintage. A keen eye would note the old attempts at stone wall windbreaks in this area, as well. A good day to go for a walk above the trees. |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat, Lil Squirt, Capt. Chris |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-02-19 |
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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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