| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Hale, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Little River Road, herd path, Haystack Road, North Twin Trail, Fire Wardens Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, February 19, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We carpooled and parked at Seven Dwarfs Motel, one mile in on Little River Rd in Twin Mtn, NH. Parking was unplowed. Left $10 per car. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Not a problem. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trail is generally in good condition. Previous group had left the trail packed down with snowshoes. But had to dodge some postholes from the few, previous to our excursion, not wearing snowshoes. We all did our part and wore snowshoes.
There were a couple blowdowns to duck under or hop over, but those are not unexpected, really. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sadly, none. :-( |
|
 | Bugs: |
Thankfully none. Ah, one of the many joys of winter hiking. :-) |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nada |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
This largish group hike was lead by two trip leaders, not me. Thanks to everyone!
Snowshoes strongly advised to keep this trail from post holing further. We did our part by donning them.
Started as a partly sunny day, with some not so infrequent lapses in sun exposure. However, by late morning we had mostly blue bird conditions: Sunny and blue skies. Definitely cold, maybe 10-11 deg F at the summit, but pretty mild by traditional White Mountain winter standards. A little wind at summit and on our exit until we dropped about 1 mile down into the woods. Here and there we faced the wind as we descended the Fire Warden's trail's switchbacks, again pretty tame winds.
Don't know that we tracked/used the exact Fire Warden's trail on the way in to the switchbacks, as we avoided river crossings (except for the snowmobiling/forest road bridge crossing). You can refer to the map off the photo pointer.
We had 3 grey jays at the summit pestering us in their usual, persistent manner. Admittedly I have a soft heart and gave them a few plain almonds. At least I gave them only nuts. Aside: Their feathers looked more fluffy than usual, probably to help with insulating in the relative cold. :-)
Great mountain hike with a great group of folks. Doesn't get any better! |
|
 | Name: |
Mike D with large group |
|
 | E-Mail: |
fourseasonhiker@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-20 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://photos.app.goo.gl/SXbii5LSzQrx3bXr9 |
|
|
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. |
|
