| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Boott Spur (attempt), NH |
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 | Trails: |
John Sherburne Ski Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Arrived at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center at 7:00am and the large lot was maybe 20% full. Surprised that many folks were there early on a Tuesday, but the fresh snow brought people out. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Skis |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Several water bars were still flowing, but fairly easy to cross with skis on. The last one just below Hermit Lake was tricky and I got my tail a bit wet which needed to be managed. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail was in great shape. The forestry team is doing great work. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Surprised I did not see any as there are usually some out and about here. It can be a bit hazardous for the dogs though with the downhill skier traffic. My two stayed home despite their objections. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
16" or so of fresh snow at elevation reported on Monday. Skins and skis went on at the car. I typically skin the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Hermit Lake but opted to skin up the John Sherburne Ski Trail due to limited base snow and an expected manageable number of downhill skiers at that time. Turned out to be a good call as I only passed two down hill skiers, and the the aforementioned water bars posed a bit of a skier hazard. Ascending and descending the same trail was helpful so as to know where the hazards were prior to skiing into them. Temps were below 20 degrees, but no wind made for an enjoyable skin up.
I had been considering heading into the Ravine for a run but the snow pack stability and limited visibility into the bowl was concerning. Also, based on the number of cars in the lot I expected there to be a fair number of skiers on very limited high consequence terrain options, although I could not confirm that from Hermit Lake due to the visibility challenges. I therefore opted to play it conservatively and not ski some of the bigger lines. Again was a good call as there was some natural avalanche activity reported which was not surprising considering bed surface/new snow/wind loading.
I returned to the John Sherburne Ski Trail and continued up towards Hillman's Highway. Snow was unconsolidated above the Hermit Lake which gave things a mid winter feel and made for far more challenging skinning. I made it to the toe of Hillman's just to take a look, as I was not considering skiing it from the top. I was fortunate to catch a few minute window of visibility just as I exited the thick woods into the open area around the base of Hillman's Highway. Close observation confirmed that it was not yet in for skiing, and snow pack stability in the steeper sections was a real concern . I transitioned there to downhill and skied back to the car without removing my skis. The ski trail was skied up pretty well, but snow conditions were still soft with a bit of fresh powder on the sides here and there. Snow quality, especially at lower elevations, was much better/drier than what I experienced Monday in the northern Green Mountains of Vermont. Great first up hill ski of the season and was back to the car and on the lifts at Wildcat by 9:30. Forgot how fun Wildcat can be when conditions are favorable. |
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 | Name: |
Jo-Kah |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-07 |
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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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