| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
West Royce, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Highwater Trail, Black Angel Trail, Blue Brook Connector, Basin Rim Trail, Royce Trail, Burnt Mill Brook Trail, Wild River Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, June 5, 2014 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parking for 8 or so cars at the Highwater trailhead at the north end of Wild River Road. Similar situation at Burnt Mill Brook trailhead. No other cars at either today. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The crossings on Highwater Trail (Bull Brook, Moriah Brook, and Cypress Brook) were all rock-hoppable with care. The crossing of the Wild River itself was not, I waded in knee deep water, the rocks underwater were slick. All other minor crossings were easy hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Many blowdowns along the route, most of the easy step over/duck under varieties. Several trail blocking blowdowns on Highwater Trail. Several sections of Highwater Trail were taken into the Wild River, mostly between the Shelburne Trail and Moriah Brook Trail junctions. Rule of thumb, follow the bank, you'll hit te trail again. Highwater also somewhat difficult to follow beyond the wilderness boundary, but that's par for the course. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
Out and somewhat vexing when stopped, at least in the low-lying areas. Not many at all above ~1800'. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
The really long way to West Royce, though that wasn't the goal for the day. Highwater Trail was pretty nice, mostly dry and soft, with occasional wet and muddy spots. The washouts were interesting to navigate, as were the large brook crossings, and the trail was pretty wild beyond the wilderness boundary. The western section of Black Angel was much like Highwater down low, but turned muddy higher up, nothing terrible though. Blue Brook Connector over to Basin Trail was nice, and had some serious 8+ foot high hobblebush just next to the trail... bushwhackers nightmare! Basin Rim was its usual nice self, undulating up the ridge. No issues on Royce Trail or Burnt Mill Brook, which sports some nice little cascades and drops just off the trail (well worth further exploration). All in all, a great red-lining day, even if there were no views. Didn't get rained on either!
Blog post soon! |
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 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
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 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2014-06-05 |
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 | Link: |
 https://onapathwithheart.blogspot.com/ |
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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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