Mt. Jefferson Attempt PLEASE READ

[Vincent Aceto]

We attempted Jefferson. Crossed where bridge was washed out but ended up waist high in water due to breaking through some ice.
However, There is a new start up Jewell. Some may already but we saw no signage or posts. Security guard at the Cog said you now head up on the right side of the tracks and go under the tracks at a sign about 50 yds up. I enjoy seeing other's posts on many sites and found no information on this. Perhaps there was a post months ago but I must have missed it. Hopefully this helps someone as I thought this is the reason for posting. Thank you VFTT for being a great resource and to the many members who are supportive to ones who enjoy being out there with you.

 

[Ear Drum]

Too bad about falling in, glad you're safe. I am wondering though where you were exactly?
Was this the crossing of Ammo River to get to Jewel Link, immediately next to Marshfield Station, on the north side? I first crossed here five years ago and there was no bridge, and I've never heard of this spot referred to as a a place with a "washed out" bridge.
Or were you perhaps on the Jewel Trail, where it crosses the Ammo River 0.1 mi north from the Ammo Ravine parking lot / trailhead? I hadn't heard that was out.

 

[Vincent Aceto]

Too bad about falling in, glad you're safe. I am wondering though where you were exactly?
Was this the crossing of Ammo River to get to Jewel Link, immediately next to Marshfield Station, on the north side? I first crossed here five years ago and there was no bridge, and I've never heard of this spot referred to as a a place with a "washed out" bridge.
Or were you perhaps on the Jewel Trail, where it crosses the Ammo River 0.1 mi north from the Ammo Ravine parking lot / trailhead? I hadn't heard that was out.

That's exactly where I went in. Bridge was washed away years ago and won't be coming back. Cog security guard said Forest service worked out the new trail with them. Thank you for your concern for our safety

 

[B the Hiker]

Someone went up Jefferson on Friday. Didn't report any problems:

"Went to Jefferson out and back via Jewell, Gulfside, and Jefferson Loop. Snowshoes start to finish. Jewell Trail had some previous boot traffic that stopped once unbroken snow depth increased above treeline. Above this previous boot traffic, we broke trail through some soft and some consolidated snow, sometimes up to thigh deep until Gulfside. Gulfside and Jefferson Loop were a mix of scoured snow, rocks, drifts, and some small patches of hard snow/ice. A decent amount of rocky terrain that was hard on the snowshoes, but overall was good to keep them on. Hikers behind us without snowshoes seemed to make an attempt towards Jefferson, but turned around and left some postholes. Conditions will change significantly with incoming snow and higher winds.

We didn't use microspikes, but always good to have them in the pack. Crampons not used as well and not needed until conditions get icy, but like microspikes, never a bad idea to bring them in the Presis."

https://www.newenglandtrailconditions.com/nh/viewreport.php?entryid=75141

I'm happy you got out safely! Sometimes it's just not the day.

Brian