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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Liberty, Mt. Flume, NH
Trails
Trails: Bike path, herd path, Liberty Spring Trail, Franconia Ridge Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Monday, April 11, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: No issues. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes, Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: All crossings above the junction with Flume Slide Trail were rock hops today. Water slightly higher on descent but plenty of above-water rocks available to keep feet dry. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The log bridges on LST about 1/10th mile after the Flume Slide Trail junction could do with being replaced. There are a couple of leaner blowdowns on LST, sorry, didn't note the milage markers. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw one happy one. 
Bugs
Bugs: None seen today. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: n/a 
 
Comments
Comments: Dry/wet/muddy bare ground until about 1900 feet. Flattish solid monorail starts there and becomes more consistent after the 2nd set of water crossings about 1/2 mile above the junction with Flume Slide Trail. At about 2300 feet began bullet ice covered by sticky snow in the a.m.. At 2500 feet the bullet ice became more prevalent forcing me to put on Hillsound Trail Crampons at about 3000 feet (I was in spike boots until then) and I kept them on until that same elevation on the return.

The section between the peaks was a slippery, slidey, slushy, mushy, mashed potato mess when I hit it between 12-1 p.m.(late start today). It was about 3 inches of slushy stuff over a solid base that made ascending the steeps fun (not). On the LST descent the bullet ice was no longer covered by sticky snow but it was much softer and had good bite with the Hillsounds.

With above freezing temps forecast for the next few days, I imagine it will remain a slushy deteriorating mess and the water levels will rise. Pick your poison as far as traction!!
 
Name
Name: thegingerhiker 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-04-11 
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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