| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Webster, Mt. Jackson, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Webster-Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, May 5, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking across the street. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Wet/Sticky, Mud - Significant, Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Quite a few crossings, several streams and about 3-4 river crossings, which were not too difficult if you can walk on logs or find the right place to cross safely. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
This trail had everything - mud, packed snow, soft snow (post holes - many and deep), ice. It was a bit of a mess and not easy going. I'd strongly suggest waiting to hike this trail until the snow is gone or mostly so. It took me 5.25 hours to go up Webster, across to Jackson and down from there - much longer than the estimated time due to the conditions. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No dogs on trail and only a couple people. |
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 | Bugs: |
No bugs. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Again, I'd very strongly suggest not doing this hike in current conditions. It was nice but muddy for about the first third or so, then began to get icy and snowy but I managed for a while without spikes as I didn't want to have to put them off and on over and over again, which I ultimately had to do, but finally I kept them on as it was then all ice and snow and not easy. The sporadic post-holing became quite annoying and I sunk up to my knee at one point and was glad to have my poles to hoist myself out. I don't think snow shoes would have worked for much of the trail but perhaps. The snow and ice is just at a weird stage and not conducive to hiking unless you wish to constantly switch out your gear. Also I could hear water, but not see it at some points and realized it was rushing beneath the snow I was on which was a little hairy. There are many places where I quickly checked with my pole to try to determine if the snow/ice was thick enough and hopefully wouldn't break and send me into what was beneath. I lucked out but ran quickly over several spots. I think it the next few weeks as the weather warms it will be a bit dangerous. |
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 | Name: |
Kate Mockus |
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 | E-Mail: |
katymockus@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-05-05 |
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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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