| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, Mt. Moosilauke - South Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ravine Lodge Road, Gorge Brook Trail, Carriage Road, South Peak Spur, bushwhack, Snapper Trail, Puts Path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 18, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Ravine Lodge Road is not as icy as it was a few weeks ago. Winter lot was nearly full at 7:45 (snowbanks are encroaching on spaces). Route 118 entrance area (where some have parked in the past) is now posted no parking. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Snow - Spring Snow |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One duckunder on Puts Path |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Ravine Lodge Road roadwalk was plowed, with a mix of bare ground and drifted snow. On the return trip, I took the parallel Puts Path, which adds a little vertical, not much distance, stays on deep snowpack, and provides some views.
Gorge Brook Trail had only seen ski traffic prior to today. Everyone I saw wore snowshoes this morning, so a nice track was setting up. The snowpack is getting DEEP with some blazes now at the snow level above 4,000 feet.
Full snow cover above treeline with some extensive drifting in places. Apart from vague old ski tracks, there was no sign of activity this morning. I set a track on the Carriage Road to treeline which was fairly consistent with the actual trail, but spruce traps could lurk with warmer temperatures. Lots of drifting in the scrub, with the smaller tree tops at shin height in places. Encountered an AMC snowshoe group near the Glencliff junction, so things were getting packed out decently.
Hadn't been to South Peak in awhile, so I broke out the spur. Meandered slightly at the beginning to avoid some on-trail bathroom breaks. Very low clearance in the flats due to snowpack and branches, but good going thereafter.
Carriage Road had only seen ski traffic (encountered about a dozen skinners, some from Ravine Lodge Road and some from Breezy Point). Sticky in the sun. I cut off the Snapper corner by initially taking the abandoned trail, then doing a bushwhack in open woods. Snapper had also only seen minimal ski traffic, so it's not at all packed.
Dreary start to the morning with showers and wind, but the skies and summit cleared later in the morning, resulting in a beautiful spring-like day. A little windy on the summit, but nothing strong enough to move you around. Temperatures reached the mid-40s at the trailhead, so things are softening up. Did not see a single person without snowshoes or skis on (awesome!). Snowshoes will remain the most effective, and safest, method of travel for weeks to come with the deep snowpack. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-03-18 |
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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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