| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Arethusa Falls, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Frankenstein Cliffs Trail, Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, Arethusa Falls Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
$5 at trailhead lot. I was the only one when I started my hike and there were two others when I finished. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Lots of rock hopping. Some water crossing made from melt run-off. Bridged on Arethusa Falls Trail. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Lots of blow downs on the Frankenstein Cliff Trail, most were step-overs, one I had to crawl under, and a whole mess of smaller blow downs that created a trail blockage. A couple blowdowns on Arethusa-Ripley too, this also feature one I had to crawl under. Blazing is confusing in spots and there are broken signs near falcon cliff. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
None |
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 | Bugs: |
A couple small gnat type things. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This was the most mentally draining hike I've ever done. Snow was very unstable, even the narrow monorail that was there. Conditions were very variable, so it was a constant dance of putting my spikes on and off. After conquering an icy scramble on Frankenstein Cliff Trail I decided to commit to bare boots and rocked them until getting to the Arethusa Falls and Arethusa-Ripley junction. Arethusa Fall trail was very pack and stable. Arethusa-Ripley trail was the main contributor to my suffering. It was like hiking in a mine field. Constant post-holing (knee to midthigh deep) and falling and then post-holing some more! Snow shoes probably would have been some help (mine are broken), but they definitely would have gotten a beating from the bare sections of trail. Lost of running water on trail. At points I was unsure if I was on the right trail because these melt streams were like legit water crossings. I can to look forward to these little creeks because while I was walking through water, I knew I wouldn't post-hole. A couple of these melt streams are partially covered with weak ice/snow, so you could surprise fall into water. My waterproof boots and socks didn't stand a chance. Can't comment on how Arethusa Falls looked as I opted not to go look at it. Since my hike had taken WAY longer than expected and I didn't want loved ones to worry the extra distance wasn't worth is
All in all, it was a gorgeous day on trail and I learned some very important spring hiking lessons (AKA Never Again without snowshoes) |
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 | Name: |
Carabiner |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-22 |
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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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