| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Gap Mountain - North Peak, Gap Mountain - South Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, unnamed trail, herd path, Donovan Trail, Old Mill Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, February 2, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked outside the gate on Bullard Rd. near the north trailhead. This was not plowed but was packed down by vehicles. The south trailhead has some plowed parking outside the gate along Upper Gap Mtn. Rd. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Wet/Sticky |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The blue blazes on Donovan Trail are old and faded. A trail sign 0.4 mi. from the south trailhead indicates the distance to the north trailhead as 2.4 mi. This is the distance between the two trailheads so this sign should say 2.0 mi. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A north-south traverse of Gap Mtn. and back again, mainly to check the winter parking situation for the next SNHTG.
Overall, the snow cover here was pretty thin with plenty of rocks poking up, bare ground, and some running water. The northern approach had been booted and the southern approach had a good snowshoe track; neither had been postholed. I opted for snowshoes round-trip as the snow that was on the ground was soft from the warming temps and it was slightly deeper higher up. The trees were also dumping their snow into the trail corridor. My snowshoe crampons took a beating in spots but I need to replace them anyway. :D With more warming in the forecast, bare boots or spikes would probably ok after today as the snow continues to melt.
On the way back I did the short side trip to South Peak. I lost the herd path several times so if you follow my tracks they do meander but will get you there. Getting to the summits of both peaks required some pushing through snow-laden branches near the tops. Snowshoes were definitely needed for South Peak. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-02 |
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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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