| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monadnock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
White Dot Trail, Pumpelly Trail, Red Spot Trail, Cascade Link |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, December 31, 2023 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Main headquarters lot open with sign to check in at the store. $15 charge, but no proof of purchase or registration. In other words, even if there was someone checking, there'd be no way to verify if you actually paid. Heated restrooms open. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridged or rock hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns. Very hard to follow trails above treeline when the blazes are covered by snow/ice (people going everywhere). |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Not allowed. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Shoulder season conditions. A little mucky down low, transitioning to dry/frozen ground, transitioning to a dusting of snow and a few random patches of ice, transition to (probably above 2,400 feet) close to full snow cover and enough ice to make things vexing. After dancing around the ice, sharp Microspikes went on at about 2,900 feet, as there was flow ice on the angled ledges that couldn't realistically be traversed without (saw two people barely flail their way up it; no idea how they got down; would not have trusted rock spikes for the worst parts).
Pumpelly Trail wasn't as icy, though there were some hidden patches under the inch of powder. Spikes came off after a few tenths. A few icy areas on upper Red Spot, but the rugged stretch was mostly bare ledge (wouldn't want to do this part in icy conditions).
Plenty of yahoos ascending/descending White Dot (without gear or water, shouting, etc.), but much quieter on Pumpelly and Red Spot. Nice sunny day down low, but views were obscured by clouds when we summited. Nevertheless, a November-like day with temperatures in the 30s. |
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 | Name: |
rocket21 |
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 | E-Mail: |
rocket21@franklinwebpublishing.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-12-31 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/ |
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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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