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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks South Hitchcock, Middle Hitchcock, West Hitchcock, NH
Trails
Trails: Discovery Trail, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, March 20, 2023
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Parked at the Discovery Trail visitor center, lot was plowed 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Postholes 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: all hoppable, all off trail anyhow 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: all good 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: One dog walker pulled in as I departed 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
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
Name: Erik Hamilton 
E-Mail
E-Mail: ehamilton9481@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2023-03-21 
Link
Link: https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/trail-reports/hitchcock-mtn-smw 
Bookmark and Share 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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