Trail suggestions for Swiss Bob-ing

[dvbl]

I'm looking for any trails that have enough packed snow remaining for prime "Swiss Bob" descents. I was thinking of hiking Liberty Spring trail and/or Crawford path up to Pierce. Doesn't have to be a perfect luge track, but I'm looking for trails where the majority of rocks are still under packed snow. Thanks.

 

[sli74]

Try the Hancocks. The last report still shows snow and snow is predicted to fall later this week also.

sli74

P.S. Did you mean Liberty Springs to Liberty? because Liberty Springs will not take you up Pierce

 

[bruno]

also try mt kinsman trail from easton. was up there yesterday and the top parts were good for "sitting glissades" (aka "butt slides"). i even though of swiss bobs (though i couldn't remember what they were called). duder, it'd be the way jam to take one up there!! have fun!! dap!

ps--remember that some folks get all twitched out by buttslidin' and all though. especially down south hancock! there was a small li'l tempest about this!! i say go for it!!! live free or die!

 

[dvbl]

P.S. Did you mean Liberty Springs to Liberty? because Liberty Springs will not take you up Pierce

Sure it will. It's just not the most direct route

But, yes, you're right. I should've used a comma there, or somehow made that more clear. Thanks for following up.

 

[poison ivy]

As Seema suggested, I consider South Hancock one of the best sled runs (of the peaks I've tried so far.) I prefer South Hancock to North because it isn't quite as steep and has fewer trees to contend with. It is fast, even down South Hancock, so be careful though!

I swiss bobbed down Liberty Springs trail a few weeks ago. At that time, the trip from the Franconia Ridge trail junction down to the campsite was my best sled run all year. Below that there were too many rocks and too much ice to make it much fun. Hopefully, some snowfall will help with that.

Tecumseh also makes for a terrific sled ride, you can slide about 2/3 of the way down the trail. Moosilauke's Carriage Road is also pretty good provided snow conditions are okay.

I have not tried sledding Crawford Path... it might be more difficult than some of the others listed above because it's such a popular trail, you would have to be very careful to avoid other hikers.

- Ivy

 

[Mark]

The lower sections of Crawford Path can be good for sledding. If you are not necessarily looking to sled down a hiking trail, my friend and I sledded down the Pole Cat beginners trail at Wildcat Mt. ski area this past weekend. We descended from the summit after the lifts closed. He used a Swiss Bob and did much better than I did on my inflated tube, despite a very icy trail.

 

[DougPaul]

The lower sections of Crawford Path can be good for sledding. If you are not necessarily looking to sled down a hiking trail, my friend and I sledded down the Pole Cat beginners trail at Wildcat Mt. ski area this past weekend. We descended from the summit after the lifts closed. He used a Swiss Bob and did much better than I did on my inflated tube, despite a very icy trail.

Be very careful on commercial ski trails after the lifts have closed--grooming machines can be hazardous to your health and future hiking...

Doug

 

[Mark]

Be very careful on commercial ski trails after the lifts have closed--grooming machines can be hazardous to your health and future hiking...

Doug

We talked to a member of the ski patrol who said he would keep the groomers off Pole Cat until we got down. Besides, we were not going very fast and only descending in short segments. We walked down any section of trail where we could not see ahead to check if the trail was clear.

 

[Dan F]

Bearing in mind the previous cautions about ski slopes, the new "ski trails" along the side of the lower cog railway are just about the right gradient for a sled.