| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Chocorua, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Piper Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 8, 2018 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
After turning left off Rt. 16 at the sign "Piper Trail" you drive back to a private parking lot. A minute after we arrived a man came out and collected his $3. He says the lot will hold close to 20 cars. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Snow - Drifts, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
A couple small streams easy to cross. Several larger brooks have bridges. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Several on the ground blowdowns easy to get by. Trail in the woods section could use more blazes on trees. This helps winter travel particularly when there is no track to follow. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
|
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
We used all 3 of the traction devices we carried on the hike. No trail breaking was required as a track had been established. Unfortunately it was frozen post holes and deep boot prints. Very rough, narrow, and tough on ankles. Started with snow shoes which saved our ankles a bit but was hard on the snowshoes. Hard to keep them level on the narrow track. When it got steeper we switched to spikes and keep these on to the summit and back down to treeline. Then switched to crampons for the descent since there were water ice sections. Piper trail from Champney Falls intersection to the summit was smooth and easy footing. Summit cone had drifting which made the final ascent steeper and a little challenging on the descent with spikes. Above treeline section was fairly easy to follow - it can be confusing without a previous track. Not many cairns and blazes are under snow and ice. Although we wore crampons one could have stayed with the spikes descending the Piper Trail since the water ice could be avoided. Parts of the trail had bare short sections with exposed rock and gravel. It was a "wow" day with a long distance 360 degree view from the summit - could see Presi's, Franconia Notch mountains and some lenticular clouds. Only a hint of a breeze on the summit. |
|
 | Name: |
Dexhiker |
|
 | E-Mail: |
dexpcdoc@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-08 |
|
 | 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. |
|
