| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
North Tripyramid, Middle Tripyramid, South Tripyramid, Mt. Whiteface, Mt Passaconaway, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Sabbaday Brook Trail, Mt. Tripyramid Trail, Kate Sleeper Trail, Rollins Trail, Dicey's Mill Trail, Walden Trail, Square Ledge Trail, Passaconaway Cutoff, Oliverian Brook Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, May 16, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Sabbaday Brook trailhead lot off NH 112. This large, paved lot is plowed after storms. It is a fee lot ($5 a day or WMNF pass) and has two well stocked privies. It is a busy lot in snow free seasons. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
See notes below. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs should be fine on these trails. |
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 | Bugs: |
Oh yes. I swallowed two. Plenty of spider webs as well. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Route:
Sabbaday Brook > Mt Tripyramid Trail out and back to North summit then onto > Kate Sleeper > Rollins Trail > Dicey's Mill > Walden trail > Square Ledge > Passaconaway Cutoff > Oliverian Brook > bike ride on NH 112 back to parking.
Sabbaday Brook: blazed in yellow to the wilderness boundary then not blazed. No snow on this trail save a few pockets in between rocks in the uppermost elevations. Water crossings as follows:
First crossing caused damp feet, but not dunking. Second crossing, no issue. Plenty of rocks. Third crossing accomplished on submerged rocks. Fourth crossing done on submerged rocks. There was a lot of running water on trail especially after 4th crossing. 5th crossing achieved using submerged slick rocks. Both of my legs went into the drink up to my lower shin when I slid off slick rocks. 6th crossing also accomplished by using more submerged slick rocks. I was super glad to have worn waterproof socks today! My shoes got soaked!
Due to the floods of December, the area above the fourth water crossing not only has running water obiliterating the trail, there is also so much wash out that the trail was challenging to follow for a few minutes. But I could recall from memory where it went and stayed on track.
Mt Tripyramid trail: if its blazed, I didn't see any. The trail out to North summit is nearly snow free. What is left is rotten and unstable. Between the peaks of North and Middle, after the junction with Sabbaday, there is much more snow. I would not recommend snow shoes as the snow is shallow in most parts and is accompanied by many open areas. There is also ice. I just wore my trailrunners without issue. From Middle to South the trail is nearly dry. Only a few, small segments of snow. Once over South's summit, the snow is gone. The 0.2 I did of the slide was completely dry and snow free.
Kate Sleeper: Brand new sign at the junction with Mt Tripyramid trail. Thank you!! This little gem of a trail is well blazed in faded blue blazes. I was coasting right along down the slide and into the pine trees when the snow showed back up. The good news is that because this trail is rarely traveled in winter the snow was all snow. No ice. The bad news, no compacted snow to hold a person's weight. So postholing I went... I would not have donned snowshoes anyway as the snow segments would go for a bit, then be interrupted by running water on trail and open trail for longer segments. It just isn't worth hauling the snowshoes to put them on/take them off/put them on numerous times. But the snow did significantly slow my travel time and my shoes were absolutely soaked.
Rollins Trail: well blazed in blue. Small segments of sometimes supportive snow, other times it was shin deep plunges through the rotting monorail. At no time did I consider putting on spikes. The snow was completely negotiable.
Dicey's Mill: I cannot remember if this is blazed or not. No matter, it is simple to follow. No snow until the summit cone, about 0.3 from the summit. Then it is mostly ice in and around rocks. No traction needed on the ascent as plenty of rocks were available to use as footing.
Walden: well blazed in blue. There is a thick short segment of snow between the lookout points then this sucker is FREE OF SNOW!! I was plesantly surprised. There is a bit of running water on trail, but nothing major. Rock ledges wet and slick as always, not exposed, just slow going with carefull attention to foot placement.
Square Ledge: no blazes. No snow either!! Oh was I elated! the water bars are managing the last of the snow meltoff just fine. Some new blow downs that are a bit tricky to push through/over.
Passaconaway Cutoff: no blazes. And still no snow! I was cruising! Some erosion from the winter rain making footing unsteady and slick in the steeper parts.
Oliverian Brook: no blazes until the Wilderness Boundary then it is blazed in yellow until the junction with with cross country ski trail where the trail is then marked with blue diamonds. Nice, snow free trail. Several mud spots, some of which are quite deep (ask me how I know this). Lovely grade and footbed. Vernal pools hold thousands of frog eggs on the verge of tadpole hatchings!
End state: I brought spikes, never used them. I refuse to bring snowshoes. Those are now lovingly stored away until next season. Your feet will get wet with all the water crossings, running water on trail, and melting snow.
Nice to have run into WanderingSoules, though we did not introduce ourselves. Congrats on your amazing achievement of completing the Grid! Hopefully I will be done next year... Hopefully! |
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 | Name: |
Remington34 |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-16 |
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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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