Teufelhund
New member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2008
- Messages
- 48
- Reaction score
- 2
Date of Hike: 4-24-10
Trail Conditions: Water crossing just downhill from power station was manageable. Sandwich Mt Trail was in nice shape - mostly dry and clear of obstructions - up to the first series of lookouts. From the lookouts to just beyond the junction with Smarts Brook Trail we counted about a dozen trees that blocked our way. The spur trail to Jennings Peak was mostly dry, obstruction-free, and easily barebootable. Remnants of a granular monorail 1 to 2 feet thick from junction with Smarts Brook until just shy of the summit…barebootable on the ascent. Hit another thin monorail on the descent of Drakes Brook Trail where it diverges from Sandwich Mt, but the snow disappeared after only a couple tenths of a mile. The rest of Drakes Brook right to the river crossing was clear of snow; the crossing itself was about 20 feet wide, relatively shallow, and easily accomplished.
Special Equipment Required: At mid morning we hit the Sandwich Mt Trail parking area, saw all the green grass and foliage, felt the warm air, and quickly jettisoned the snowshoes. Only traction gear used on this hike were microspikes on the descent from the summit back to the junction with Smarts Brook.
Comments: Awesome, unrestricted views of surrounding Waterville Valley, Franconia Ridge, Moosilauke, & the Prezis. Felt like June in Waterville Valley but the Prezis and Franconia Ridge still looked white and wintry.
“Thank you” to the trail adopter we met yesterday beyond the lookout area, hard at work clearing trees and other debris from the trail. And “hello” to Rocket21 whom we met while he, too, was doing a bit of trail maintenance on his descent of the Dome.
Your name: Steve M & Steve R
Your E-mail address: [email protected]
Trail Conditions: Water crossing just downhill from power station was manageable. Sandwich Mt Trail was in nice shape - mostly dry and clear of obstructions - up to the first series of lookouts. From the lookouts to just beyond the junction with Smarts Brook Trail we counted about a dozen trees that blocked our way. The spur trail to Jennings Peak was mostly dry, obstruction-free, and easily barebootable. Remnants of a granular monorail 1 to 2 feet thick from junction with Smarts Brook until just shy of the summit…barebootable on the ascent. Hit another thin monorail on the descent of Drakes Brook Trail where it diverges from Sandwich Mt, but the snow disappeared after only a couple tenths of a mile. The rest of Drakes Brook right to the river crossing was clear of snow; the crossing itself was about 20 feet wide, relatively shallow, and easily accomplished.
Special Equipment Required: At mid morning we hit the Sandwich Mt Trail parking area, saw all the green grass and foliage, felt the warm air, and quickly jettisoned the snowshoes. Only traction gear used on this hike were microspikes on the descent from the summit back to the junction with Smarts Brook.
Comments: Awesome, unrestricted views of surrounding Waterville Valley, Franconia Ridge, Moosilauke, & the Prezis. Felt like June in Waterville Valley but the Prezis and Franconia Ridge still looked white and wintry.
“Thank you” to the trail adopter we met yesterday beyond the lookout area, hard at work clearing trees and other debris from the trail. And “hello” to Rocket21 whom we met while he, too, was doing a bit of trail maintenance on his descent of the Dome.
Your name: Steve M & Steve R
Your E-mail address: [email protected]
