| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Spaulding Lake, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Great Gulf Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
One car in the lot, which I presume belonged to the pair of footprints I followed in the snow all the way to Spaulding Lake (presumably they were continuing up the summit, as their license plate referenced gridding). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Several water crossings of various sizes, including Parapet Brook, West Branch of the Peabody in several places, and a few tributaries. Water is very low throughout the forest right now (on the order of 60 ft^3/sec at East Branch of the Pemi, where 300 is considered by many to be the upper threshold for safe crossing). The suspension bridge in the Great Gulf connecting Madison Gulf Trail and Osgood Trail is closed due to a failed inspection - it seems that, at least in low water, the river can be easily crossed on boulders either upstream or downstream (I think someone may have flagged a downstream crossing route between when I passed going uphill and when I returned). |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Some blowdowns on the Great Gulf Trail above Clam Rock, all passable. The steep slabs following the south bank of the upper Peabody were covered in ice, which may make an argument for formalizing the herd path that has formed around the slabs to the left. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs! Wildlife seems to be abundant in the Great Gulf, so be on the lookout for bears (scratched up bear box at the established site just before the junction with Osgood Trail). |
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 | Bugs: |
N/A. Still a few flies hanging on! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
N/A |
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|
 | Comments: |
Great out-and-back hike to Spaulding Lake. Took a little under 7 hours. Trails are in good shape, minus the closed bridge connecting Madison Gulf Trail with Osgood Trail on the AT. It’s been very dry, so the river was low, making it very easy to cross within 100 yards upstream. Some blowdowns on the Great Gulf Trail above Madison Gulf Junction, all easily passible. Above the junction with Sphinx, a bunch of ice and snow on the trail, most notably a section of frozen slab below Weetamoo Falls. There is a herd path going around it through the dirt, and the ice doesn’t necessarily look thick enough for micro spikes to provide adequate traction. Spaulding Lake was beautiful, totally worth it. Keep in mind that during the winter months, this area gets very little sunshine because the sun appears and disappears over the ridge so quickly. I got there at 12:09 PM today, took a picture of the sun, and one minute later it had set behind the shoulder of Washington. Lots of pine marten scat out on the rocks, basically from the wilderness boundary all the way up to just before the ice and snow. It’s my dream to see one and photograph it! Superb day on trail. I would compare the Great Gulf Trail to something like the Tuckerman Ravine Trail, but much narrower, an overall gentler grade, and a rougher character. Spaulding Lake itself has similar vibes to Hermit Lake if Hermit Lake were at the base of the Tuckerman headwall. Didn’t see a single person all day, but there were some footprints ahead of me and based on the license plate, I’m guessing they are gridding and headed up Washington. 10 out of 10 day! On this trail and others like it this time of year, make sure to carefully plan your daylight and manage your layering system really well as temperatures fluctuate in and out of the sun and close to and away from riverbeds. |
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 | Name: |
Slow_Tracer |
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 | E-Mail: |
williamandrewoliver@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-11-21 |
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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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