| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Frankenstein Cliff, Arethusa Falls, Bemis Falls, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Frankenstein Cutoff, Frankenstein Cliff, Arethusa Falls, Bemis Falls |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, March 15, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Lot is MUDDY. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There is one spot on Frankenstein Cliff between the trail to Ripley Falls and the trail to Arethusa Falls where the trail runs up the middle of a small rivulet. It was open today (I.e. flowing water) but with deep, unbroken snow on either side. We got by without getting our feet wet, but with increased melting you will end up with the choice of wading through ankle-deep water or postholing around it unless you have snowshoes. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One big, relatively recent blowdown that made quite a mess not far from the watery spot mentioned above in the water crossing notes. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Lots of pups visiting Arethusa today, but we didn’t see another soul on Frankenstein Cliff or Bemis Falls. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Postholio!! The mashed potato snow has made its triumphant return. Unfortunately most of this route was chewed up by people without snowshoes despite 2-3 feet of snowpack. So there were a lot of postholes. However, a monorail is starting to form in some spots (barely) and there is a narrow, stable pack for most of the route. This should make for a decent monorail later. The best routes in the beginning are actually the ice climbing routes and not the main trail. The ice climbing routes are packed down enough that there weren’t many postholes there. But be careful because those can be tough to follow. Once you get past the top of the climbing routes, the postholes get more numerous and the trail gets really chewed up until you get back to Arethusa Falls. It does look like the trail to Falcon Cliff and the trail to Ripley Falls are both broken out, but I can’t guarantee anything beyond what I saw.
Beautiful day to be out! Hiked in a t-shirt and snowshoes. Gotta love spring. |
|
 | Name: |
Ian D |
|
 | E-Mail: |
iantdurham at gmail dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-15 |
|
 | 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. |
|
