| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Jackson, Mt. Webster, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Saco Lake Trail, Webster-Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 4, 2021 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of spots along 302. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Black, Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Ice - Breakable Crust |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Ice and snow bridges across everything |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As someone pointed out on Tuesday, there’s a spike from a rotted out bog bridge that sticks up out of the snow up near the intersection of Webster Cliff and Webster Branch that is a potential tripping hazard until it gets fully buried or someone does something with it.
Also, there’s a newish blowdown just before the Elephant Head Spur intersection that proves inconvenient for short people who have a dog on a leash (the dog went under, my wife attempted to go over…). |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
I really wish people would have better control over their dogs. When we went to use the pit toilets on Mt. Clinton Rd. there was a dog roaming the parking lot while the owner was back at his car out on the road. On the trail, there was a dog that was way ahead of its owner and, seeing our dog, wanted to come say high but we were on an icy ledge and our dog has to be leashed. It was almost a disaster until the owner finally came into view. |
|
 | Bugs: |
|
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Micros were on from start to finish. Lots of ice. We took the Saco Lake Trail on the way up because why not. There’s a reason we didn’t do it on the way back in the dark…
Be careful on the Webster summit. The rocks at the cliff are encased in a smooth, clear layer of ice.
About a quarter mile below the Webster summit a little after 3, we passed two boys who looked to be 14-16 years old who were headed up (we were headed down). It did not appear that they had spikes (one kept slipping and falling on the ice) and they didn’t look prepared in general. They asked us how far they were from the top and I warned them about the ice at the cliff (“Dad-mode†kicked in). We got to the bottom in the dark and they never passed us on the way back down. I will be amazed if they made it back down unharmed. I was concerned enough that I told some guys at the Highland Center (not that there’s anything they could do). I just hope they’re all right. |
|
 | Name: |
Ian D |
|
 | E-Mail: |
iantdurham at gmail dot com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2021-12-04 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
