NH Tramper
Member
Date of Hike: Mar. 21, 2013
Trail Conditions: The weather sure said spring, though a little chilly, and with all the snow and trail breaking, well, the lines sure can be blurred in the mountains because in a way it was still quite wintery. We started out on Drakes Brook Trail, breaking out fresh tracks the entire way. It is busted but still loose and unconsolidated. I recall one blowdown on the trail but nothing that held us up. Same is true on Sandwich Mountain Trail, we made fresh tracks all day, except it had several blowdowns, a couple needing a bushwhack bypass. The lower part of this trail, near the last bit of incline before the crossing (when returning) has some ice floes that are thinly covered, taking one in our party by surprise. Beware! The Spur to Jennings Peak was like the others and covered with fresh snow, but we busted it out too. These were maybe three blowdowns on this .2 spur, but nothing we couldn't get past. Crossings were mostly frozen and supportive but there are some thinning hollow spots so proceed with care.
Special Equipment Used: We used snowshoes for the entire hike, no question it was the only way to roll. Trekking poles were helpful probing the snow-covered crossing ice. Snow depths on the trail must still be a good three to four feet in the trees at higher elevations (much of the higher trail's canopy is now at face level making things tighter in places); so there are sections of this route in which wearing glasses might not be a bad idea so as to prevent eye injury. At least be aware of this possibility when you're up there.
Comments: Hiked this one as a participant in a Meetup hike led by Bill Robichaud. We were joined by Tish, Chris, and Theresa. Great company, on great day, having a great hike. We didn't see anyone else all day, though someone did visit the trailhead and go at least part of the way down Drakes Brook Trail.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
Trail Conditions: The weather sure said spring, though a little chilly, and with all the snow and trail breaking, well, the lines sure can be blurred in the mountains because in a way it was still quite wintery. We started out on Drakes Brook Trail, breaking out fresh tracks the entire way. It is busted but still loose and unconsolidated. I recall one blowdown on the trail but nothing that held us up. Same is true on Sandwich Mountain Trail, we made fresh tracks all day, except it had several blowdowns, a couple needing a bushwhack bypass. The lower part of this trail, near the last bit of incline before the crossing (when returning) has some ice floes that are thinly covered, taking one in our party by surprise. Beware! The Spur to Jennings Peak was like the others and covered with fresh snow, but we busted it out too. These were maybe three blowdowns on this .2 spur, but nothing we couldn't get past. Crossings were mostly frozen and supportive but there are some thinning hollow spots so proceed with care.
Special Equipment Used: We used snowshoes for the entire hike, no question it was the only way to roll. Trekking poles were helpful probing the snow-covered crossing ice. Snow depths on the trail must still be a good three to four feet in the trees at higher elevations (much of the higher trail's canopy is now at face level making things tighter in places); so there are sections of this route in which wearing glasses might not be a bad idea so as to prevent eye injury. At least be aware of this possibility when you're up there.
Comments: Hiked this one as a participant in a Meetup hike led by Bill Robichaud. We were joined by Tish, Chris, and Theresa. Great company, on great day, having a great hike. We didn't see anyone else all day, though someone did visit the trailhead and go at least part of the way down Drakes Brook Trail.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
