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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Whiteface, NH
Trails
Trails: Blueberry Ledge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, March 30, 2017
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Ferncroft was well plowed with the gravel frozen solid at 8:00 a.m. At 2:00 p.m. the parking area was muddy. No other cars at 8:00, 3 cars at 2:00 pm. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Spring Snow, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: none  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: didn't see any. Other than scrambling over one ledgy area the trail seemed fine for dogs. 
Bugs
Bugs: None 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nothing 
 
Comments
Comments: AT 8:30 am the first few miles of the trail were excellent. Smooth, solid, I used micro spikes and didn't sink down. During the first few miles you can see areas of the forest where the leaves are showing through the snow. Maybe at about 2 miles you can see where the wind has done significant damage to a number of trees. The trail itself had some step overs and blow downs. I was able to clear several of those, but there were a few blow downs with 12 to 16 inch trunks and all I could do was clear the branches off the main trunk. You can at least step over or crawl under now. Snow was several feet deep as you approached the steep sections leading up to the summit. Trail remained solid all the way up. Snow started to soften as I headed down at noon and once I got beyond the steep sections I put snowshoes on. The lower rock ledges are at least half free of snow.

Perfect early spring weather, with deep blue sky. When I got near the summit I could look over at Mt. Washington, just the summit was cloud covered. Beautiful view. As noted above the first few miles of the trail were about as perfect as they can get in the winter (early spring). Over the past few days someone had skied the first mile to mile and a half. Snow might have been 6 to 8 inches near the start the start of the trail. When I got into the deeper snow, probably a few miles into the trail, I was following very large moose tracks for awhile. Very little post holing anywhere on the trail. The area that was struck by the wind is interesting. Amazing how some of the large trees were twisted apart. There are areas of the trail where chain saws and expert knowledge may be required. Fortunately the trail is still very passable with only minor inconveniences.  
Name
Name: Bruce 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2017-03-30 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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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