| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Piper Trail, Liberty Trail, Hammond Trail, Weetamoo Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, April 15, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Crossing of the Chocorua River on Weetamoo was sketchy.....I crossed on a log. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Overall, the trails were in good shape. A forest service crew was removing a blowdown about 1.5 miles up the Piper trail. I can't think of any other issues along my loop. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw a few very friendly ones on the summit, soaking up the sun. |
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 | Bugs: |
A couple of flies have emerged but nothing biting |
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 | Lost and Found: |
NA |
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|
 | Comments: |
This is a great loop, with occasionally subpar trail conditions. But it's mid April, so it was expected. Piper trail had a couple areas of monorail at the start but was mainly dry until about 2 miles in, where it became patchy all the way to just before the junction with the Champney Falls trail. From there it was a consistent deep snowpack with some impressive postholes just off the trail. It was prob two to three feet deep. I didn't use snowshoes on that section, as I was careful with my foot placement, but they could definitely be used. Once I got out of the trees the snow mostly disappeared. Views were spectacular all around, with just a hint of haze. I decided to make a loop, and headed down Liberty. There was a LOT more snow on this side, so be prepared and bring your snowshoes. I strapped them on at the Jim Liberty Cabin, but ended up taking them off a time or two in a short distance. I found them most useful a few tenths before the Hammond junction all the way till almost the Weetamoo junction. Snow was deep and rotting in this section, with no monorail as of yet. I took them off for good at the Weetamoo junction, and just dealt with occasional patches that finally disappeared once into the hardwoods. Crossing of the Chocorua river was sketchy at best. I used a log to make my way mostly across, and somehow stayed dry. There was a family of three that I met on the upper Weetamoo that appeared woefully unprepared (I don't even know if they had a a backpack.) They were about to run into a wall of snow, so hopefully they turned around and made their way out, and got across the river...again. The lady in the group said she fell in trying to cross it. Other than that, it was a most excellent adventure and just what the doctor ordered to release some stress. |
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 | Name: |
Phil |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-04-16 |
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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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