| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Scar Ridge - Middle Peak, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Discovery lot (off Rt 112) is plowed |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Hancock Branch was bridged enough to be no issue |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
N/A |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I wouldn't, but that's up to the owner. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Not today |
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|
 | Comments: |
Hiked East Scar from the Kanc last winter so I was hoping for similar conditions- very different indeed. I would not describe this snow as supportive at all; snowshoes sink 4-5" before coming to a rest assumingly atop that old ice crust from several months ago - this crust layer made the STEEP ascent of both the narrow ridgelet and the actual summit cone very slippy. Figures I left my ice axe in my car, all excited to have remembered trekking poles - did not need trekking poles for this, I needed my axe more than anything.
I encountered just about every variety of forest while trekking directly at the Middle Peak; I intentionally struck directly at the narrow ridge, the woods were good it was just super steep and loose trashy snow atop that ice crust. A ton of spent energy to gain minimal ground.
On the southern side of the 3,030' bump on the ridgelet, I encountered the thickest, pokiest spruce twigs and branches of the day - thankfully it was brief. Beyond the thickness the woods opened back up to reveal a stunning summit cone shroud in crusty hoar frost.
Exposed rock bands were encountered BOTH while scaling the ridgelet spine head-on, on the backside of the ridge bump, and while climbing to the true summit - each of these could be avoided by trekking around, I chose east - probably because I am left handed.
Climbing the real summit cone of Middle Peak was made even more treacherous by ~5" of hoar frost which had blown from the canopy, now laying on the mountainside.
The actual dome of mountaintop was one of the most stunning scenes; through mature woods I found the recognized high point, a massive spruce had toppled adjacent, luckily not on the high point tree.
As the sun was out in full force by my 8:30am summit, any ice in the canopy was now raining down in buckets - another reason I did not press on to replace the register notebook on the West Peak. All contents atop Middle Scar were in fine working order, a pencil could use a sharpener, but there are several others to chose from.
Following my tracks back downslope, I cut a few corners to streamline my route, in case anyone tries to follow my route - there are many side excursions to possible lookouts.. don't get lost blindly following my tracks!
As usual, there is a write-up posted at the link provided where readers may also enjoy some color photography and more words describing today's outing. Happy climbing! |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
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 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-07 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/trail-reports/middle-scar |
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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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