NH Tramper
Member
Whiteface & Passaconaway via Blueberry Ledge, Rollins, and Dicey's Mill Trails - 12/1
Date of Hike: Dec. 1, 2012
Trail Conditions: We started with a dusting and that covered the leaves as we entered making for iffy traction but fine all the same; nothing of real concern. The depth of the snow was around an inch-and-a-half at the Whiteface summit, and since it snowed all day, the levels increased, albeit slowly. Blueberry Ledge Trail was in pretty good shape. A couple of minor blowdowns, maybe a squeeze under/around if I recall. Most of the damage was twisted away from the trail towards the west. The ledges were covered with maybe an inch or slightly more by the time we hit them but traction made light work of them and we moved past it all pretty quickly. There was very little ice to contend with. Rollins Trail was covered with up to two inches at the time we got to its end, but it, too, is in good shape... until the blowdowns, that is. Like Thursday's hike on Davis Path to Isolation, we encountered a huge and ugly mess of blowdowns that may have eaten up to .1 mile of the trail. We broke trail and after exploring a bit, we picked it up again. The trail turns sharply at the site so finding the other end was trickier. Now, if our tracks hold out, a minimalist's route under, over, through, and around the mess is available. For now. The Passaconaway Summit Loop was fine. A little icy in places but easy to navigate. Dicey's Mill Trail was likewise in good shape. No new blowdowns that stand out it my mind. The crossing was easy, the log is still there and there are also a lot of exposed rocks for those who prefer a log-free route. There was the typical ice floe between the Loop and Rollins but spiked up as we were, it was a breeze.
Special Equipment Used: Microspikes were needed to navigate safely and expeditiously. Trekking poles were very helpful for support on ice, as well as balance in the crossing. Gaiters were used by many in the party.
Comments: Hiked this one with Bill Robichaud (brobichaud here on VFTT) and several others as part of a Meetup event I was leading with the Northeast Peakbaggers. It was a terrific group of people working together on an excellent endeavor. It was cold, and blowing a bit at times, but we were warm as we worked and had a safe and enjoyable hike.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
Date of Hike: Dec. 1, 2012
Trail Conditions: We started with a dusting and that covered the leaves as we entered making for iffy traction but fine all the same; nothing of real concern. The depth of the snow was around an inch-and-a-half at the Whiteface summit, and since it snowed all day, the levels increased, albeit slowly. Blueberry Ledge Trail was in pretty good shape. A couple of minor blowdowns, maybe a squeeze under/around if I recall. Most of the damage was twisted away from the trail towards the west. The ledges were covered with maybe an inch or slightly more by the time we hit them but traction made light work of them and we moved past it all pretty quickly. There was very little ice to contend with. Rollins Trail was covered with up to two inches at the time we got to its end, but it, too, is in good shape... until the blowdowns, that is. Like Thursday's hike on Davis Path to Isolation, we encountered a huge and ugly mess of blowdowns that may have eaten up to .1 mile of the trail. We broke trail and after exploring a bit, we picked it up again. The trail turns sharply at the site so finding the other end was trickier. Now, if our tracks hold out, a minimalist's route under, over, through, and around the mess is available. For now. The Passaconaway Summit Loop was fine. A little icy in places but easy to navigate. Dicey's Mill Trail was likewise in good shape. No new blowdowns that stand out it my mind. The crossing was easy, the log is still there and there are also a lot of exposed rocks for those who prefer a log-free route. There was the typical ice floe between the Loop and Rollins but spiked up as we were, it was a breeze.
Special Equipment Used: Microspikes were needed to navigate safely and expeditiously. Trekking poles were very helpful for support on ice, as well as balance in the crossing. Gaiters were used by many in the party.
Comments: Hiked this one with Bill Robichaud (brobichaud here on VFTT) and several others as part of a Meetup event I was leading with the Northeast Peakbaggers. It was a terrific group of people working together on an excellent endeavor. It was cold, and blowing a bit at times, but we were warm as we worked and had a safe and enjoyable hike.
Mike "Tramper" Cherim
Nottingham NH
