| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
South Hitchcock, Middle Hitchcock, West Hitchcock, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Discovery Trail, bushwhack |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, March 20, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at the Discovery Trail visitor center, lot was plowed |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
all hoppable, all off trail anyhow |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
all good |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
One dog walker pulled in as I departed |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Great day in the hills, finally solid snowpack (off trail) after the recent freeze/thaw cycles. Snow was super supportive down low then 2-3" breakable crust at ~3000-3600'.
Tight bushwhack through stabby spruce ascending the south ridge up to South Hitchcock, beautiful open conifers over to Middle Hitchcock (high point of the mini-range), got thick and steep descending the western side of Middle to meet up with West Hitchcock. Climbing the West peak was nice and open once again, mixed forest. Found a nice lookout on the South peak and a canister from the 80's with interesting entries.
Trekked through a marvelous stand of yellow birch on the descent and bee-lined straight for the trailhead parking lot.
Discovery Trail looked like a mess of ice from the freeze/thaw with postholes to either side, encouraged me to keep bushwhacking alongside through the beech trees.
I'll include a link below for a more in-depth write up with some color photos thrown in. Enjoy!
Happy Climbing!
|
|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2023-03-21 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/trail-reports/hitchcock-mtn-smw |
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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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