| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monadnock, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Old Toll Road, White Arrow Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the small lot near Rt. 124. Normally this lot is not plowed hence it is unlikely that many use the White Arrow trail unless the snow depth is minimal. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction, Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One easy open crossing |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns. Trail difficult to follow higher up. No cairns. A couple cairns below the summit on the north side but not clear which trail they belonged to |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
This hike started out with an easy walk up the snow covered gravel road for 1.2 miles. The remaining 1.1 miles on the White Arrow trail starts uphill gradually then gets steeper near the summit. I followed tracks of other hikers which was fine for a while until just below the summit. Saw only two rock painted arrows confirming that I was on the right trail. Lots of water ice. Spikes worked fine for the beginning section of the trail but higher up the ice was steep and beyond the recommended use of spikes - crampons would have been better. I did get by with just spikes but wished I had my crampons for the upper section. Those using just spikes should make sure they are good and sharp. Returning the way I came was difficult around where the trails meet just below the summit on the north side. Footprints were everywhere and no signage or cairns to clearly mark the White Arrow trail. I imagine blazes are under the snow and ice. Was unable to find the way I came up and so got off trail for a while. Used GPS map app and compass to eventually rejoin the trail after several difficult backtracks. Despite that it was a beautiful day with great views. At about treeline there is an open area near the trail which has wonderful views to the west and south. |
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 | Name: |
Dexter Robinson |
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 | E-Mail: |
dexpcdoc@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2020-01-07 |
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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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