| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Jewell Hill, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Snowmobile trail, old Jewell Hill Lane, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 25, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Found adequate parking at the Sculptured Rocks lot on its namesake road. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Bridged on snowmobile trails, if we encountered any off trail, they were hoppable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Might not want to take them on active snowmobile trails - obviously up to the owner |
|
 | Bugs: |
Nope |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
Nope |
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|
 | Comments: |
Aside from the snowmobile trails needing more snow, all good.
This trail report - mostly to report on the stellar, rock-solid snow quality found in the Dorchester/Groton, NH area. Snowmobile trails are trash at the current moment - die hard riders are still out there tearing it up on bare dirt and rock, however.
Found better travel in open woods to start, as snomo trails were dirt/rock down low. Conditions improved as elevation was gained, finding minimal ice to dodge. Off trail was a bushwhackers DREAM! Completely supportive crust and open woods, need I say more? cgothberg and I diverged from snomo road to begin a twilight bushwhack in brilliant near-full sun, almost did not need headlamps to roam those woods. Lots of recent bear activity - muddy bear tracks, and snowy bear tracks - all over that low mountain, no sightings today, however. Moose traffic as well in localized patches along the southern aspect of Jewell Hill.
After a brief ramble around the broad summit area, Chris spotted the orange duct tape-clad recycled glass jar. The air was very chilly. With no desire of sign in this morning, we proceeded a short ways through more stellar woods, to a ledgy area for our first taste of glorious, panoramic views. The ball of sun was just bridging the horizon when we reached the best ledgy spot. Finding one more vista showcasing: Mowglis, Firescrew/Cardigan, and the Catalouchees, we relished in full sun, solid snow, and stunning open air views.
Dropping due south off the southern sub-peak, we welcomed the sight of wide, old skidder road. Atop even more rock-solid crust, we full on snowshoe trail ran down the mountain, bouncing over drainage berms and just making an overall ball out of the morning ramble. Serious fun was had in those woods, beautiful patch of lesser-explored New Hampshire woods!
I'll drop a link below to a more in-depth write-up with color photography peppered throughout - enjoy!
Happy Climbing! |
|
 | Name: |
Erik Hamilton |
|
 | E-Mail: |
ehamilton9481@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-02-26 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.atalkinthewoods.com/trail-reports/jewell-hill |
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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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