| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Middle Sister, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Champney Falls Trail, Champney Falls Cutoff, Middle Sister Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, January 21, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Champney Falls lot plowed, still a $5 parking fee |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
No issues, big ones have good snow bridges, small runoffs are still a little wet but again no issues |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Couple blowdowns after the falls trail junction |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dog friendly trail |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
What a beautiful day it was! A combination of spikes and snowshoes. Spikes to start (bareboot could work too) as the trail was nicely packed and only postholed on the edges here and there. Kept the spikes until just after the junction of the actual falls trail. Here is where the trail gets real fun. This trail must have seen more bareboot traffic than snowshoes. The track is firm with a little movable snow on top... but the postholing is moderate, some really good ankle twisting/sideways-tipping footing. Aside from the postholes, the track is just really choppy and bumpy. I found snowshoes the best option for traction and to also not add to the damage by digging my heels in. Still made good time but I was staring down at the trail more than I would have liked, due to the damage. At the Champney Falls Cutoff I broke trail to Middle Sister (the trail to Chocorua is obviously broken out). Lots of fluffy light powder and some decent snow drifts. A short and enjoyable breaking of the trail, still lots of consolidated powder. On the Middle Sister Trail up to the summit, I started off on the summer trail then kind of just went straight up to the summit, due to the major drifting and the strong winds. Hard windswept spots and deep deep drifts on the summit cone, and my tracks were already getting covered up as I headed back down. Kept snowshoes on the entire way down mostly because I was content and cruising. If snowshoes are used faithfully after the next snowfall, the upper trail should even out. Wind was epic! Sunset was ace! A great day was had. |
|
 | Name: |
Samantha J |
|
 | E-Mail: |
sjbrook603@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-01-22 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
