| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Smarts Mountain, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Ranger Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, April 19, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
puddles and mud in half of lot |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
all hoppable |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
a couple blowdowns, needs pruning above garage, major drainage issues |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
For highpoint LiDAR picks fire tower ~3237' over 2 bumps near trail to W ~3232', bump on trail .1 mi E (not shown on USGS quad) ~3235', and E summit .3 mi away ~3218'
Most of trail is bare and dry but that's not what you will remember. Old road section up to warden's garage has innumerable wet spots many of which I scuffed with rubber boots but many would require mattock and a couple would require backhoe. At one point you have to decide which of two brooks is the trail. Above garage trail gets rocky then angles diagonally across wet slabs, fortunately not very slippery. Where the new A.T.joins is an area of ice, and much of the footway beyond contains ice although the ladder and metal rungs themselves are ice free. Traction recommended to keep you from sliding into woods although it won't prevent breaking through hollow ice. Last couple tenths is packed snow although if you explore off-trail you will posthole maybe 6". This hike would probably be more fun if you wait a couple weeks until some of the mud dries up and more of the ice melts.
|
|
 | Name: |
Roy Schweiker |
|
 | E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-04-20 |
|
 | 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. |
|
