NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Scar Ridge (West Peak), Scar Ridge (Middle Peak), NH
Trails
Trails: Service Road, Brookway ski trail, Lower Walking Boss ski trail, Upper Walking Boss ski trail, bootleg ski trail, bushwhack
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Thursday, November 21, 2013
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Only car in the Loon Parking Lot, spotted second car at Discovery Trail Parking area 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Wading through Hancock Branch (not recommended but doable) 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Ruben had a great time today.  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Loon was just starting to make snow on the trails, no problem bare booting to the top using the service road, and we had the mountain to ourselves. Reached bootleg ski trail to black mountain just below the North Peak chair, the trail was just cleared and cut for the coming winter skiers, and we followed it to where it makes the hard left turn as seems to be the common route, you can make great time for this portion of the whack. Starting here we bush whacked roughly just east of a southerly direction up towards the summit ridge. We stayed just below the ridge line on our planned course. At about 3600' I happened on a herd path with early morning Moose tracks in trace amount of snow and was able to follow for a bit through relatively open woods to the summit staying on the north side of the ridge. Bent screw (as reported by Bryan) is still broken off but we were able to open the canister and sign in. After lunch we headed for Middle, again following the Moose, on a southeasterly course through some pretty heavy brush and lots of blow downs. Surprisingly, the summit was pretty clear and open. With time running out and knowing we would be walking out in the dark we opted to head down on the north side of middle and set a northeasterly course to get down into a drainage area that would lead to the Kanc. The brook made it easier to stay on course but in retrospect I don't think this would be my first choice for decent were I to do it again, knowing we had the 2nd car as a "bailout" probably influenced the decision. We had to skirt around a large ice covered slide at one point and below this we got into some nasty hobble bush that made life interesting as well as slow going. Once we reached Hancock Branch we had the problem of finding a place to cross in the dark and not getting too wet. Finally settled on a spot to cross to an island first and then to the bank below the road, off our mark about 50 yards east of the car. Thanks to Karen, Gordon, Dick, Sandy and of course Ruben for following.
 
Name
Name: FranM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: maineri@metrocast.net 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2013-11-22 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share 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.

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