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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Chocorua, NH
Trails
Trails: Bolles Trail, Bee Line, Brook Trail, Liberty Trail, Piper Trail, Champney Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 25, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: There were a few cars in the lot when we arrived. On return it was full and cars were parked along both sides of the road, in both directions. I remember a couple of years ago seeing a Carroll Co. deputy ticketing all those cars, but I didn't see any of that today. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Rock hops. Bolles north of the ridge crosses the brook repeatedly, and it appears Irene damaged some of the trail that wasn't a crossing. In higher water this all could all create wet feet, but today it was fine. We crossed Paugus Brook at Bee Line to connect to where we hiked last weekend, when we couldn't cross the brook. This was the trickiest crossing but on the return we found a spot a short ways downstream that was a simple rock hop. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Bolles had several significant blowdowns on its north section, and again on the south section. I took out a few smaller ones on the trail. The North section was full of stream crossings. The South section had a few mud/wet spots, and lots of old snowmobile bridges. Bee Line was a nice trail, in pretty good shape, obviously cared for. Brook, in the section we hiked, was full of wet ledge; the rock has some grip but given my "Teflon soles" boots I was glad I was going up it instead of down. Champney Falls had wet ledges too, even some ice on the side up high below tree line. It obviously gets lot of use. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Pepper had a pretty good day. Bolles had a brook for sip n dips on demand, Bee Line had some small drainages if needed for drinking, and Champney Falls has small drainages high and streams low. There were lots of dogs on the summit and Champney Falls, and lots of people, so he stayed behind me on the hike down. 
Bugs
Bugs: None on the trails; a few at the parking area on our return. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: This is a nice loop, with pleasant wood walks to Brook, especially on Bee Line, and "regular" trail hiking the rest of the way. The trails are essentially snow free, and while there is mud, and in one place on Bolles the stream has taken over the trail, it is pretty easy hiking. If I had done it clockwise, I would have avoided most of the crowds on the way up Champney Falls; we didn't see a soul on Bee Line or Bolles. The wet ledges on Brook were easier going up, although Champney Falls has some slippery areas when wet going down too. We hiked in the clouds up to Chocorua, and I thought it could rain at any moment. On top we had some limited views, and shortly after leaving the summit the sun came out and it was a very nice midday hike down. People were still starting up the trail after 1 pm which given the forecast seemed a bit risky, but for the most part I couldn't see any showers on the drive home, except for a few drops at home. Thanks Pepper for a really nice hike.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-05-25 
Link
Link: https:// 
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