| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Kearsarge, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Access road, Winslow Trail, Barlow Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
At the new (2024) winter lot next to the gate at Winslow State Park. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I recall a blowdown on Barlow between the footbridge and the power lines. Blazes on Barlow need to be repainted. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
If you are not comfortable hiking on icy trails, maybe put this one aside for now until we get more snow to cover it all up. If you are comfortable with it, be sure to bring your sharpest traction. I was fine in brand new Hillsounds.
The access road is hard snow and has a lot of debris down from ice-laden trees.
Winslow starts off with hard snow but quickly becomes increasingly icy, which is not unusual for this north-facing trail. At Halfway Rock and above, there is some very thick ice. Actual crampons or K-10s would not be out of the question here. Lots more ice continuing up to the summit ledges, which are currently encased in the stuff.
The upper half of Barlow has lots of ice but the lower part is mostly hard snow. Unfortunately, it also has lots of shallow frozen postholes from someone barebooting it while the surface was still slush.
A chilly morning for sure with the temps and wind, but not too bad in the shelter of the fire tower and down at the picnic table. |
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 | Name: |
KenM |
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 | E-Mail: |
kmacgray@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-12-31 |
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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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