| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Surprise, Mt. Moriah, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Carter-Moriah Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at small lot 0.1 from the trailhead. This lot is next to the snowmobile trail. It was plowed when I arrived at 0730 this morning. Holds 7 or so well parked cars. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No crossings on this trail. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
My dog struggled in the drifts above Mt Suprise's (I keep wanting to say Mt Sunrise) summit until he figured out that if I went first in my snowshoes, I'd break trail for him... You're welcome there, Brutus. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Out and back on the Carter-Moriah trail.
Trail is well blazed in blue. Simple to follow. Snowshoes worn for the entirety.
The initial portions of trail, up to Mt Suprise's summit were packed granular with numerous postholes along the sides of the narrow trench.
Once past the summit the snow became much deeper with large drifts along the ledges and anywhere the tree barricade was thin. At this point postholes increased both next to, and on on trail. The trench was visible on all parts save the drifts. Grateful for the blazes on those parts!!! The steep scrambles also around the ledge portion had no ice, totally snow covered.
About a mile and a half from the summit drifts continue along with increased snow levels. It was loose granular snow of several inches over a narrow, packed granular layer. I personally would not recommend spikes as the trough is soft and still covered in thick snow. And narrow... I sank several inches if I stepped of the trench, even in snowshoes. I was so focused on not tripping on a posthole again that I did not pay much attention to the surface through the final 0.3 miles until the drifts below the summit Spur came back with a vengence. At least they were firm.
I was the only human out today until encountering a lovely, friendly couple when I was nearly done with my hike. They were wearing spikes and I told them about the upcoming trail conditions (this info was meant at face value- I cautioned about the drifts and postholes. I was NOT trying to come across as a snowshoe Nazi, and if I did, I sincerely apologize).
The summit rock was exposed along with the geological marker. No view for this 11/12 grid grab.
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-03-07 |
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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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