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Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Kearsarge North Mountain, NH
Trails
Trails: Weeks Brook Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, June 1, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: There is room for a modest number of cars. We were the only one today. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Rock steps 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Once off the road and on the trail, the lowest section has a faint footbed the paint blazes are sparse and there is no obvious corridor in the mature forest lacking undergrowth. When it comes out on an old road there is no indication which direction one should go. The correct turn is left, but it does take one through a faint footbed through a grassy and wet clearing with ticks. On my return I went around the opening in the woods. Above the clearing the trail alternates between wet/mud spots and nice dry forest floor. After that the trail is pretty darn nice all the way to the summit. At Shingle Pond there are two blowdowns, I turned one into an easy stepover and the other is a slither by. Before and after the wetland at the base of the summit climb where the trail turns left, there are a handful of major blowdowns but they aren't a major hindrance. The trail is very well brushed up to and beyond that point, but there is a short stretch after that where it really needs brushing, and then some spots above that are a bit less open. It may not be a trail for newbies and those who need continuous blazes, but much of it is splendid, and I much prefer it to the eroded muddy messes of many 4K peaks.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Pepper had fun. There were plenty of sip n dips except on the summit cone; there were squeaky toys along the trail, shade from the strong sun and freedom to roam. 
Bugs
Bugs: There were annoying skeeters in the lower section, but by Shingle Pond they weren't a problem. There were ticks in the clearing part way up; I pulled a half dozen off my socks. On the summit, we snacked in a shaded area for Pepper, but that took us out of the wind and the black flies were annoying. On the hike down there were no bug problems; but I avoided the clearing to stay away from the ticks. Why the skeeters weren't an issue down low on the return hike I can't say. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: None 
 
Comments
Comments: I really liked this hike, but I could see where some would be uncomfortable trying to follow it in places, mostly in the mature forest down low. I took the AMC Guide with me; at least read the trail description of it before hiking. The wet drainages section was easier with poles. The slopes are generally modest; the only real climb is at the end, although statistically it adds up to a fair elevation gain. There are splendid views not only from the summit, but on the ledges below. The footbed is often a delight, and there is plenty of solitude in contrast to the Mt. Kearsarge trail. Thanks Pepper for getting us onto this trail. What a wonderful day for a pleasant hike. Get it now, there may be some logging in the near future in the hardwoods section.  
Name
Name: Pepper and Me 
E-Mail
E-Mail: windriversjohn at gmail dot com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-06-01 
Link
Link: https:// 
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