How Hard Was The Snowpack Hit Yesterday

[DayTrip]

I'm again mindful of peakbagger's absence as I'm posting this. He would have already made mention of this and backed it up with data from his yard, references to the "7", etc. I don't know where he found the time.

Anyway, been quite awhile since I've been up there and SAT I may have a chance. Trying to get a sense of how big a mess it's turned into up there (blowdowns, swollen rivers, ice, etc.). Only 2 reports from today on NETC and it sounded like conditions kinda sucked. Trying to plan something appropriate for the conditions.

 

[CaptCaper]

Went from Lancaster to N.Conway and beyond yesterday afternoon. Rivers are brown and running hard. Snow is gone in the open areas heading down then Bartlett has a fair amount left. Conway spotty. Bretton Woods ski area looks okay but Bear peak had signs of grass showing.
Not good it seems as we'd like it here. Everything is frozen now of course. My drive is bad. Should of plowed it before the storm so it would be down to ground now. Now its rutted frozen slush.

 

[dailey7779]

Went from a foot of snow in my yard to four inches here in Gorham near Stony Brook Trailhead. Great Glen for X-country skiing and Wildcat for skiing took a big hit and are looking quite sad.

Hiked up to HoJo's yesterday, conditions went from great for hikers and skiers skinning up to pretty awful. Quite a few open spots, some running water, unstable snow, and beat up with postholes down low. It can't be skinned until the next storm.

It's unfortunate as skiing and hiking the past two weeks up here were very good before the storm. Only good news is there was no flooding from this strom unlike last year's December storm.

 

[JoshandBaron]

I just saw someone's IG story from last night and things looked like trash. It's coastal Maine for me this weekend.

 

[skiguy]

Definitely not a magic carpet ride out there. This from The RMC Facebook Page.

Trail Report as of December 13th

Wednesday’s warm temperatures and rainfall caused significant snowmelt at all elevations, followed by a snap freeze overnight. The sudden drop in temperature has refrozen much of the snowpack, creating breakable crust and icy conditions.

The Mt. Washington Observatory has issued a wind chill advisory in effect through noon Saturday. Sub-zero temperatures and high winds along with icy ground conditions will make travel to the higher summits exceedingly hazardous. Trips above treeline and in avalanche terrain should be avoided until conditions improve.

Those planning hikes should be prepared for variable conditions with spikes and snowshoes. Despite significant melting, there is still snow deep enough at middle and higher elevations to necessitate snowshoes. Breaking through the crust is likely without snowshoes, particularly on lightly traveled trails that did not have tracks before the melt/freeze. Streams will still be running high at lower elevations despite the sudden freeze. Significant stream crossings should be avoided until water levels go down.

The Gray Knob snowstake dropped from 25” to 13”.

Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. The conditions shared on this page may have changed since they were recorded. Always be prepared and check the Mt. Washington Observatory Higher Summits Forecast @mwobs when planning to travel in higher terrain.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...c1DcVoVn4vkKb1ekzqZ4P8iK4l&id=100063707702013

 

[DayTrip]

Definitely not a magic carpet ride out there. This from The RMC Facebook Page.

Trail Report as of December 13th

Wednesday’s warm temperatures and rainfall caused significant snowmelt at all elevations, followed by a snap freeze overnight. The sudden drop in temperature has refrozen much of the snowpack, creating breakable crust and icy conditions.

The Mt. Washington Observatory has issued a wind chill advisory in effect through noon Saturday. Sub-zero temperatures and high winds along with icy ground conditions will make travel to the higher summits exceedingly hazardous. Trips above treeline and in avalanche terrain should be avoided until conditions improve.

Those planning hikes should be prepared for variable conditions with spikes and snowshoes. Despite significant melting, there is still snow deep enough at middle and higher elevations to necessitate snowshoes. Breaking through the crust is likely without snowshoes, particularly on lightly traveled trails that did not have tracks before the melt/freeze. Streams will still be running high at lower elevations despite the sudden freeze. Significant stream crossings should be avoided until water levels go down.

The Gray Knob snowstake dropped from 25” to 13”.

Please note that trail conditions can change quickly. The conditions shared on this page may have changed since they were recorded. Always be prepared and check the Mt. Washington Observatory Higher Summits Forecast @mwobs when planning to travel in higher terrain.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...c1DcVoVn4vkKb1ekzqZ4P8iK4l&id=100063707702013

I was literally just reading that. The Gemonid meteor shower was supposed to peak tonight/tomorrow so I was really hoping to do a night hike or overnight and check it out. Between the deteriorated trail conditions and the expected frigid temps it is not looking like it'll be a good weekend for it though. May have to scale my plans back or fall back to my traditional standby...Manhattans.

 

[NHChris]

I just saw someone's IG story from last night and things looked like trash. It's coastal Maine for me this weekend.

What do you do in costal Maine? (I just moved to Falmouth!)

 

[Ear Drum]

...The Gemonid meteor shower was supposed to peak tonight/tomorrow so I was really hoping to do a night hike or overnight and check it out. ...

I stepped outside last night about 11pm in central Connecticut, and immediately saw two meteors streak by, one to north and the other east. Then a few small ones, and after a few minutes, two large, fast, bright meteors more overhead. Brighter than Jupiter, I'd say, and really cool to see. Pity the moon was basically full, or we'd see a lot more; that said, it was a beautiful combo of winter stillness, bright moon, clear skies, and meteor shower.

 

[DayTrip]

I stepped outside last night about 11pm in central Connecticut, and immediately saw two meteors streak by, one to north and the other east. Then a few small ones, and after a few minutes, two large, fast, bright meteors more overhead. Brighter than Jupiter, I'd say, and really cool to see. Pity the moon was basically full, or we'd see a lot more; that said, it was a beautiful combo of winter stillness, bright moon, clear skies, and meteor shower.

Yah the moon was a definite factor that was pointed out in articles I read about the meteor shower. I basically rose right in the area where the shower was originating. I can't get up to NH after all today so I'm hoping to find somewhere local to maybe get a glimpse and take a few photos tonight.

 

[Lone Stranger]

What do you do in costal Maine? (I just moved to Falmouth!)

If you haven't found Presumpscot Falls Park and Falmouth Nature Preserve yet, you should My daughter was playing hockey down that way last year and we used to hit up the trails during practice.

If you have time to drive a bit look into the Harpswell trails. Lots of short hikes so good to do one when you don't have much time or several when you want to make a day of it. https://hhltmaine.org/

 

[DayTrip]

Are there any coastal Maine parks with a trail network extensive enough to justify a drive up from CT? I've seen a lot of cool places but they always seem to have just a few miles of trails. I'm looking at 3-4 hour rides or more one way so I want to hike for 8-10 hours to make it worth the ride. 10-15 miles worth of trails and maybe the possibility of an overnight. Are there such places with ocean views/trails?

 

[NH2112]

I was literally just reading that. The Gemonid meteor shower was supposed to peak tonight/tomorrow so I was really hoping to do a night hike or overnight and check it out. Between the deteriorated trail conditions and the expected frigid temps it is not looking like it'll be a good weekend for it though. May have to scale my plans back or fall back to my traditional standby...Manhattans.

Sounds like I picked a good night to try out my new WM Bristlecone on Boundary Bald. Don’t know if I’ll make it to the summit since I’ll be bushwhacking my way up, but I know a couple good spots with wide open views of the sky down lower. Strangely it’s forecast to be about 10F warmer at the summit, but with a little more wind. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to get some pics.

 

[sierra]

I have seen multiple trip reports of significant blowdowns.

 

[Lone Stranger]

Are there any coastal Maine parks with a trail network extensive enough to justify a drive up from CT? I've seen a lot of cool places but they always seem to have just a few miles of trails. I'm looking at 3-4 hour rides or more one way so I want to hike for 8-10 hours to make it worth the ride. 10-15 miles worth of trails and maybe the possibility of an overnight. Are there such places with ocean views/trails?

There is only one place that fits your description, Cutler. The rest of the coast is not really accessible for camping other than private campgrounds.

It is almost to Canada, so a very long drive; about 4 hours from Portland. Pretty trail with some first come, byo water campsites towards the far end of the trail along the coast. VERY popular during the season with many people competing for the campsites. Getting there early and being willing to share are both encouraged. I try to go during shoulder season when it freezes at night as that tends to keep the crowds down.

 

[JoshandBaron]

Are there any coastal Maine parks with a trail network extensive enough to justify a drive up from CT? I've seen a lot of cool places but they always seem to have just a few miles of trails. I'm looking at 3-4 hour rides or more one way so I want to hike for 8-10 hours to make it worth the ride. 10-15 miles worth of trails and maybe the possibility of an overnight. Are there such places with ocean views/trails?

Camden Hills and Cutler are all I've found. It was a 3 hour drive for me to Camden. If you do enough research in the right places you'll find a couple backcountry campsites with privvies. There is also a hike-in cabin available for rent for very reasonable. We did a short 4 mile trip but you can put together something in the 10+ mile range. Views over penobscot bay from the site are great. Moon washed out any meteors.

 

[DayTrip]

There is only one place that fits your description, Cutler. The rest of the coast is not really accessible for camping other than private campgrounds.

It is almost to Canada, so a very long drive; about 4 hours from Portland. Pretty trail with some first come, byo water campsites towards the far end of the trail along the coast. VERY popular during the season with many people competing for the campsites. Getting there early and being willing to share are both encouraged. I try to go during shoulder season when it freezes at night as that tends to keep the crowds down.

Hah! That is one I learned of awhile back from a friend. About an 8 hour ride for me though. That is what prompted the search for closer, comparable trips. That does look like an awesome spot though. Someday...

 

[DayTrip]

I have seen multiple trip reports of significant blowdowns.

Before my plans fell through I was going to do Moosilauke via Glencliff. Hadn't been any trips for Glencliff in quite awhile. Someone finally posted one for SAT and it sounded trashed. Might be a tough Winter out there at the higher elevations with the lack of maintenance on many trails until the Spring.

 

[NorthShore]

Are there any coastal Maine parks with a trail network extensive enough to justify a drive up from CT? I've seen a lot of cool places but they always seem to have just a few miles of trails. I'm looking at 3-4 hour rides or more one way so I want to hike for 8-10 hours to make it worth the ride. 10-15 miles worth of trails and maybe the possibility of an overnight. Are there such places with ocean views/trails?

You can string together a pretty long hike around Megunticook in Camden.

 

[sierra]

Before my plans fell through I was going to do Moosilauke via Glencliff. Hadn't been any trips for Glencliff in quite awhile. Someone finally posted one for SAT and it sounded trashed. Might be a tough Winter out there at the higher elevations with the lack of maintenance on many trails until the Spring.

I believe they counted over 100 blowdowns.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Before my plans fell through I was going to do Moosilauke via Glencliff. Hadn't been any trips for Glencliff in quite awhile. Someone finally posted one for SAT and it sounded trashed. Might be a tough Winter out there at the higher elevations with the lack of maintenance on many trails until the Spring.

After maintaining Glencliff Trail with a friend for 25 years, two years ago we handed it off to a couple much younger friends, whom cut and oversee glades for GBAC. My guess is that they will get Glencliff Trail cleaned up well before spring, but given the reports from yesterday, it may take a while.