| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
West Rattlesnake, East Rattlesnake, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Bridle Path, Ridge Trail, East Rattlesnake Trail, Pasture Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 26, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Rattlesnake Trailhead off Route 113 was plowed before the snow today. Maybe 1 inch of snow on it when I arrived, 2 inches when I left. Plenty of room. Route 113 itself was in fairly good condition, but it's a narrow, twisty, hilly road, so take it carefully. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Just one at the bottom of East Rattlesnake Trail, and it was low and easily rock-hopped. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
A couple blowdowns, but nothing too hard to get around. All signs were in place. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Probably wouldn't have any issues. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
A couple of winter hats at the kiosk at the trailhead. |
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|
 | Comments: |
If you're only heading up Old Bridle Path to West Rattlesnake, and then heading back the same way, you could probably get away with microspikes or bare boots. But if you're hiking any of the other trails on the Rattlesnakes, you're going to want snowshoes.
The ascent up Old Bridle Path to West Rattlesnake was gradual, obvious, and well broken out. I saw the only two people I'd see all day there. Due to the light snowfall that was continuous throughout the hike, there were no views from the summit, but the scenery was beautiful nonetheless. Ridge Trail had a few older tracks, but it was much less packed out, and snowshoes worked well. Col Trail heading toward Pinehurst Road had old tracks, but Col Trail heading toward Route 113 and Butterworth Trail toward Metcalfe Road were both completely untracked. East Rattlesnake Trail was similar - a few old tracks that I could follow - and I always forget how steep some parts of that trail are. Five Finger Point Trail had some old tracks, but nothing from today. I considered going down to Pinehurst Road and taking Undercut Trail back to the trailhead, but I wanted one more climb, so I headed up Pasture Trail to West Rattlesnake and then Old Bridle Path back down. My tracks on Ridge Trail heading from West Rattlesnake were already filling in by the time I got back to the summit.
Snow depths aren't massive, but the whole area still has very nice winter conditions. Definitely an enjoyable hike. |
|
 | Name: |
GN |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ghnaigles@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-02-26 |
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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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