| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Jewell Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 22, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Cog lot, $10/person. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
1 stepover about halfway down Jewell. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Snowshoes door to door. As in just about every previous report I've written this winter, a mystery why people insist on carrying snowshoes on unconsolidated trails. Honestly curious if people just hate wearing them, don't know how to put them on, or don't understand when to use them. Headed out Ammo and caught a group of 10 snowshoers, after which the trail was pretty roto-tilled. Caught up to the tillers on the steep section as they were switching from bare boots to crampons, (they were carrying snowhoes). Honestly puzzling as there wasn't any ice, just semi-consolidated snow which the snowshoes had great grip on once I got in front of them and the crampons certainly weren't going to help them stop postholing. Approaching the hut, a hiker descending said he'd gone 200 yds past the hut towards Monroe and turned around due to the wind. Got to the hut and it was indeed howling. A hiker who had passed me on the way up was gearing up and after watching her charge up Monroe like a Boss I gave it a shot. Definitely a handful and got blown around pretty good. There is one steep/sketchy/short section, and I got around it by going a bit farther to climber's right than the actual trail. Not because I'm smart, I was following the tracks of the previously mentioned Boss. If you are curious you can zoom in on that section in the link below.
Crawford from the hut up to Washington and then Gulfside down to Jewell is very firm, you could use microspikes or snowshoes, but a lot of ice in places so you'll need some kind of traction. I kept the snowshoes on because I'm lazy. When I got to the tracks I followed them instead of staying on Gulfside. Jewell had some drifts, some ice, some rocks. Microspikes probably best but again, lazy so stayed in snowshoes. The route up to Jefferson is mostly firm and rocky with some drifts. Tracks were quickly being obscured in places, so expect to use your navigational skills...some cairns are indistinguishable from regular rocks.
Cut the corner down to Jewell...after you reach the high point coming back from Jefferson on Gulfside, look for the cairns on Jewell down to your right (they are big). You definitely want snowshoes from Gulfside down on Jewell. Lots of spruce traps and deep unconsolidated snow. Again passed some people struggling while carrying their snowshoes. Hopefully the warmer weather coming will let the trails set up, but if hiking tomorrow, you'll want snowshoes for Ammo and Jewel, and if you aren't lazy, spikes above treeline (but you'll definitely want some kind of traction). |
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 | Name: |
Borealis |
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 | E-Mail: |
kdwelch1@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-02-22 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.strava.com/activities/13699736972 |
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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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