| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, Mt. Moosilauke - South Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Glencliff Trail, Carriage Road, South Peak Spur |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, November 2, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Glencliff lot; first car in at 5:40am, one other hiker upon return. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All doable, hoppable on rocks or shallow enough on the Glencliff ascent to just about trod on through without a care. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Only a handful of downed limbs remain as we enter winter conditions, mostly 1/2 way up the path as far as I can recall. Tossed some smaller branches aside, not bad at all. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Didn't see any today. |
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 | Bugs: |
Only shimmers of falling snow, no bugs remaining. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Picked up a lavender-colored kids beanie which was hung in a tree about 1mi from the Glencliff TH, brought it back to the TH kiosk if you are missing it, it was kindly left for you next to the grey bandana and jar of Jif peanut butter (which is IRONICALLY left directly beneath the Bear Canister warning poster!) |
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|
 | Comments: |
Great day for a sunrise atop the Mighty Moose! Be ready and prepared for snow from the trailhead all the way up to the summit. Beginning with a 1/2" dusting atop 2-3" of loose foliage (so, unless your shoes/boots are waterproof/GoreTex, plan on WET FEET). The pathway was slick from snow atop the thick mass of freshly fallen leaves but to my surprise the rocks (which were covered with snow) were not terribly slick, making for a much more pleasant descent than I had imagined on the climb up.
However, some rocks have ice beneath the layer of powder which makes for an interesting ride - Hillsound spikes were on my pack but went for a ride all morning, didn't really feel the benefit would outweigh the abuse they would endure on rock tops. Mud and soggy patches are more-or-less frozen solid ABOVE 3,100' - with that in mind, any PUDDLES along the ridgecrest are frozen solid and covered with at least 1" of snow at elevation, those spots were sliiiick!
Ascending the final bit of Moosilauke up to the summit sign was not bad, minimal ice coverage on the rocks underfoot, mostly encroaching fir which was weighed down from massive amounts of ice (not even rime, just solid ICE clumps in the boughs).
While not yet deep enough to warrant snowshoes, Hillsound spikes, whether new + sharp or old + dull will be included in my gear from here on out (if in the mountains); it's wintery above 3000' around here and probably similar conditions for most of the Whites. Here comes old man winter! |
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 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
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 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-11-02 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/ |
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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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