| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Washington, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Great Gulf Trail, Gulfside, Trinity Heights Connector, Nelson Crag Trail, Old Jackson Road, Madison Gulf Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, July 24, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Small lot off rt. 16, is paid parking unless you have the White Mountain pass. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The final crossing of the W. Branch of the Peabody River was difficult. There is a slightly easier way downstream across a downed tree, but I still slipped in. All the other crossing were easy to moderate. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There were a couple of major blowdowns between Sphinx Trail and Spaulding Lake, smaller blowdowns in other sections of Great Gulf Trail. Nelson Crag and Madison Gulf trails had a few blowdowns. The headwall on Great Gulf is poorly marked - I lost the trail three times climbing up. Running water on the lower section of the headwall, lots of wet/slippery rock. In parts mostly between Spaulding lake and Weetamoo falls, the trail is a little overgrown, and parts of Nelson Crag trail are overgrown. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would not try these trails with a dog. |
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 | Bugs: |
There were a few gnats, mosquitoes and a fly or two on Great Gulf, gnats quite prolific this morning before the headwall. Sweat bees and horse flies dominated the alpine slopes of Nelson Crag trail. Lots of spiders and spider webs in the forest. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
There's a black bandana on a cut tree on Great Gulf, before the junction with Osgood Cutoff. |
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 | Comments: |
A beautiful two days to complete this hike. Finally crossed the Great Gulf headwall off the T25. Great Gulf trail was mostly a dry trail up until the headwall. There are some patches of mud and some running or standing water by the river crossings and in a few other areas, but no where near as bad as I was expecting, especially given all the rain. Beyond Weetamoo falls, the trail becomes very rough with lots of large moss-covered rocks to navigate over and around. The headwall is incredibly steep and slippery. There is a brook that flows down the trail throughout the first half-ish of the headwall. Most of the rocks are wet and moss covered here. Extreme caution should be used to navigate up the headwall. Be prepared to get your shoes and pants wet and pull yourself up the boulders. Once you climb out of the brook, there is a lot of small, loose rocks on the trail, watch out for people above and below you because they do tend slide when you step on them. Make sure you have plenty of time to climb up the headwall. It took me two hours to go from Sphinx trail to Gulfside (1.8 mi). Keep in mind that between these trail junctions there is no camping within 0.25 mi of the trail, and it's basically impossible to camp on the headwall. From the top of the headwall to Mt. Washington is pretty easy. Nelson Crag down to Alpine Garden is moderate, but once you start descending the crag, it is really steep all the way to Old Jackson Road. Pay attention to where you step as in some places the bushes have grown over the trail and you can't see the rocks below. If you can, I would try not to descend Nelson Crag. Old Jackson Road and Madison Gulf are fine. None of the trails on this hike except for Gulfside and Trinity Heights Connector are well travelled. It's very clear that few people attempt the headwall. Overall a fun, but very challenging 16 mile loop. Camped on Great Gulf trail. Lots of places to camp on Great Gulf, and it's a really beautiful trail. |
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 | Name: |
Mountain goat |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-07-24 |
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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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