| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Breadloaf Mountain, Mt. Wilson, VT |
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 | Trails: |
USFS FR 201, Emily Proctor Trail, Long Trail, Breadloaf summit spur path |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 29, 2018 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Well-plowed lot at northern end of FR 54 (South Lincoln Road), just past the FR 201 junction, several miles south of South Lincoln. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Ice - Breakable Crust, Snow/Ice - Postholes |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Big river crossing was really sketchy, best option in both directions was about 40-50 yards upstream from trail crossing. Remaining stream crossings were easily crossed, very few bridges at this point (sizable melting the past couple days). |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The first .5 mile of Emily Proctor is a real mess, numerous trees over the trail. Removed a bunch of branches as I could without spending a lot of extra time, and also freed upwards of 100 small trees that were bent over and stuck in the snow. Isolated blowdowns near the Breadloaf dog leg, and a few other places along the LT. |
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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 was tough. Broke out the whole way, only faint snowshoe tracks here/there from probably weeks ago. (Previous entry in register was from 11/23.) Warmth and rain the past couple days softened things up, leaving a shallow, soft crust down low (just few to several inches), but an often breakable 1"+ crust up high, above perhaps 2800' or so, with anywhere from 6" to 18" or more underneath, making the going very slow.
Nearly the entire length of trail up high (Emily Proctor and LT) featured flowing water underneath, exacerbating the likelihood of breaking through the crust and dropping a good foot or two toward it. Tried to stay off the main trail where this was a real problem. Moose foot-holing destroyed the upper .3 or so of the Emily Proctor trail.
Chris Higgins also hiked after me about 1.5-2 hours, so two of us left the trail in largely broken-out shape -- but expect to break through where we didn't. Blowdowns in several places, especially on Breadloaf, but usually easily avoided.
Hard-fought win, these two. 83/84 of Winter NE 100. |
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 | Name: |
Erik Bertrand |
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 | E-Mail: |
erik@bertpc.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2018-12-29 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary/track/cf466ebabd7b346e833695718fe3bcd4b24886a1/?layer=CalTopo |
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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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